5 Mar 2020

Man in court after police search following Al Noor mosque threat

3:06 pm on 5 March 2020

A 19-year-old man has appeared in court following a probe of a reported threat against Al Noor mosque in Christchurch.

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Sam Brittenden has been charged with failing to assist during a police search warrant and appeared in Christchurch District Court today.

His duty lawyer asked for name suppression on the grounds further charges were pending, but the application was declined.

Brittenden has been remanded on bail with conditions not to enter Hagley Park, and not to use or possess firearms or restricted weapons.

The maximum imprisonment for this charge is three months.

On Sunday, members of the Al Noor Mosque were the subject of a reported terror threat, which is being investigated by police.

Police searched a Christchurch property over the weekend and charged the 19-year-old.

A picture of a person outside the mosque, and threatening commentary, was reportedly sent to thousands of people through an encrypted messaging app on Sunday.

Police say they are continuing to gather evidence in relation to the threat.