Man accused of church stabbing faces new charges

New charges have been filed against a 16-year-old boy accused of stabbing a bishop during a live-streamed sermon.

A court heard on Friday the teenager would face charges of wounding with intent to kill and wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, in addition to an existing charge of committing a terrorist act.

The court also heard investigators identified 52,000 images and 7,500 videos on the teenager's phone, some of which would require access to a Terrorism Evidence Notice.

“It takes a while,” the crown prosecutor told Parramatta Children’s Court.

The teenager will remain behind bars, accused of stabbing Assyrian bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel and priest Isaac Royel during a live-streamed service at the Church of Christ the Good Shepherd on April 15.

The new charge of intent to murder concerns Mgr Emmanuel, while the charge of intent to cause grievous bodily harm concerns Father Royel.

The stabbing, which investigators said was motivated by religious reasons, seriously injured Mgr Emmanuel before the teenager was subdued.

The teen had been receiving intermittent treatment for mental health issues for several years, his lawyer said during a previous court appearance.

Police also charged five other juveniles with stabbings.

Two men, aged 17 and 14, were charged with possessing or controlling violent extremist material obtained or accessed through a transportation service.

A boy, aged 17, was charged with conspiracy to prepare or plan a terrorist act and possessing a knife in a public place.

Two boys, both aged 16, are charged with conspiring to commit any act with a view to preparing or planning a terrorist act.

Six more people have been charged over violent riots outside the church following the stabbing allegations, bringing to 29 the number of people brought to justice over the ugly melee.

The alleged stabbing's case is expected to return to court on July 26.