15-year-old Blackburn boy admits urging terrorists to murder police in Australia

Over a 10-day period the youngster sent thousands of instant messages to 18-year-old Sevdet Besim, who shared his admiration for the Islamic terror group, the Old Bailey heard.

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In one message on March 18 this year, the British boy, who was 14 at the time, said: "Suggest you break into someone's house and get your first taste of beheading."

Besim replied that it "seemed a little risky", prosecutor Paul Greaney QC told the court.

The smartly dressed, bespectacled British youngster pleaded guilty to inciting terrorism via video link from Manchester Crown Court.

The charge states that between March 15 and March 26 2015 he "incited a person to commit an act of terrorism wholly or partly outside the UK, namely the murder of police officers during an attack on a parade to commemorate Anzac Day in Australia".

A second charge of inciting terrorism overseas in relation to beheading a person in Australia was dropped by the prosecution.

They court was told the two teenagers had a shared intention through their support for IS.

Mr Justice Saunders ordered pre-sentence reports in particular to find out if there was any "indoctrination".

He said: "I want some assessment of how and why it occurred and what measures could be taken in order to reverse that process.

"Dealing with someone of this age is an extremely difficult sentencing process and I will need all the help I can get."

The boy, who wore a grey shirt and tie, is being held in an unidentified youth detention centre in the North West of England.

Sentencing was adjourned to September 3 at Manchester Crown Court.

The boy was arrested on April 2 in Blackburn in connection with an alleged plan to stage an attack at events in Melbourne to mark the centenary of the First World War Anzac landings.

He was detained again after officers examined "devices" and uncovered communications with a man in Australia.