Wakeley church stabbing: Teen accused of church stabbing in bedside court hearing as new details revealed

Police have revealed shock new details of the Wakeley church stabbing as a lawyer for the teenager charged with a terrorist act said at his first court appearance that he was undergoing a mental health assessment.

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb said orthodox Assyrian Bishop Mar Mari Emanuelle was stabbed up to six times during the alleged attack at the Christ the Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley, in Sydney’s west, just after 7pm on Monday.

It was the first time the extent of the Bishop’s injuries had been made public.

In an early morning press conference on Friday, Ms Webb also revealed police believed the boy had travelled up to 90 minutes from his home to get to the church on the night of the attack.

The 16-year-old is still in hospital recovering from injuries to his hand. He was refused bail after being charged on Thursday night and his lawyer did not apply for bail in a brief hearing at Parramatta Children’s Court on Friday.

He faces a potential life in prison if found guilty of the terror charge, said Commissioner Webb.

The youth did not appear on video link for the short court hearing on Friday and was represented by his lawyer.

He remains under police guard in an unnamed Sydney hospital where he is being treated for injuries to his hand sustained in scuffles with churchgoers after Monday night’s attack.

His lawyer told the court the boy was going to have a mental health assessment and that he had a long history with intermittent psychiatric treatment.

On his release from hospital the boy will be taken into a youth justice facility. His case was adjourned to June 14.

It is believed Bishop Emmanuel, 53, remains in hospital recovering from his injuries. Priest Isaac Royel, 39, who was also stabbed, has been discharged and is recovering at home.

Australian Federal Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw said search warrants had been executed at the alleged offender’s home and items, including electronic devices, had been seized.

“He was charged with a terrorist act under section 101.1 of the Criminal Code (Commonwealth) 1995 which carries a maximum penalty of imprisonment for life,” Mr Kershaw said.

In regard to ongoing community tensions, Ms Webb said extra officers had been deployed across Sydney to patrol places of worship.

“I reassure the community that police will be out in force for high visibility operations today and onwards for as long as needed, to reassure the community we are there to keep them safe,” Ms Webb said.

“We have extra officers deployed... particularly in south-west Sydney, but across Sydney, to patrol places of worship and other important installations.”

Ms Webb also issued a warning about misinformation circulating on social media, saying people should source their information only from police and law enforcement.