Sydney woman facing terrorism charges refused bail in court
A Sydney woman accused of planning a terrorist attack has been denied bail in court after making an application on Monday.
Alo-Bridget Namoa laughed in court as it heard evidence of her “favourite” beheading.
Namoa asked to be granted bail ahead of trial, due to her conditions in jail as she says she sees "demons in the shower" and her toilet "talks to her".
The 19-year-old is facing charges of possessing an item connected to a terrorist act and recklessly collecting documents connected to a terrorist act.
Police allege Namoa was found with a hunting knife and Shahada flag in her handbag, along with instructions for making an explosive device.
During her bail hearing in Central Local Court on Monday, her barrister submitted evidence showing Namoa was severely mentally ill and her health had deteriorated since entering custody.
A psychiatrist claimed Namoa was suffering schizophrenia and hallucinations.
The Sydney Morning Herald reports that in one instance Namoa told prison medical staff that she heard voices. “It tells me to hurt people but I don’t,” she reportedly said.
On Monday the court heard Namoa told prison staff: “The toilet talks to me, it makes me laugh” and “I see angels, they are my friends”.
She also reportedly spoke about thinking about beheadings she had watched on her phone.
The crown prosecutor read out another comment, about Namoa watching beheading videos: “My favourite one (is) when the rocket blew his head off, his intestines and all.”
In court Namoa shouted “woo” and laughed when the prosecutor detailed the “extremely violent” material allegedly found on her phone.
One text message between Namoa and husband Sameh Bayda allegedly read: “I want to do an Islamic Bonnie & Clyde version on the kafirs haha ... like ASAP.”
It was argued the text messages showed Namoa’s immaturity.
The court heard Namoa was given the highest classification while in Silverwater prison, due to her terrorism charges. She was kept in permanent isolation with limited health care.
Namoa reportedly spends 22 hours a day in a single cell and two hours a day in an isolated exercise yard.
The psychiatrist said Namoa was "clearly experiencing depressed mood and psychotic symptoms".
She was prescribed the anti-psychotic drug Palperidone to treat the disorder.
The prosecution argued that no evidence had been produced on whether Namoa’s mental illness had persisted after she was medicated.
A bail decision will be handed down Tuesday.
