A teenager who carried a pipe bomb onto a bus in Adelaide has walked away with a two-year good behaviour bond after already spending almost one year in youth detention.
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The youth, who cannot be named, pleaded guilty to the charges including taking a step to manufacture an explosive device over an incident on a southern suburbs bus route in May last year.
Judge Barry Beazley said it was clear the autistic boy had no intention of harming anyone and the bomb was unlikely to accidentally explode.
The District Court on Monday heard how the 17-year-old made the device to impress friends.
He hid the bomb under his jacket, went to see an old school friend and showed her the device.
"You were shocked when she became distressed rather than impressed," Judge Beazley said.
"Because of the disorder, you couldn't understand why she would be distressed.
"From your point of view, you believed you were always in control of the device, such that it would not explode accidentally."
Judge Beazley described the boy as being "embarrassed and distressed" from his friend's reaction.
The court heard how both the boy and his friend did not believe anyone was in danger as they traveled on the bus together.
The boy immediately went home, removed the bomb and contacted Lifelife before being taken to hospital, where he was arrested.
"The offending while serious and potentially dangerous was caused by your inability at the time to appreciate that danger and your relationship," Judge Beazley said.
"It's been a traumatic experience for you and probably everyone else in your family.
"You have the capacity to contribute to society in a meaningful way and you are now developing the skills to manage relationships better.
"I have no doubt you have a promising future."
Previously in court, the youth apologised for his actions saying "all I wanted was to be forgiven".
Australian Associated Press
