‘Would-Be’ Islamic State Terrorist Likened Death in Battle to Super Mario Shortcut, Court Told

ABC News reports: A Melbourne man accused of trying to flee Australia by boat to fight for Islamic State said dying and going to paradise would be like taking a shortcut in a Super Mario video game, a court has heard.

Paul Dacre, 31, has been denied bail after police told the Melbourne Magistrates Court they held grave concerns he would commit a terrorist attack if released.

The Epping man is one of five accused of towing a boat from Melbourne to far north Queensland in May with the intent of sailing overseas to fight with the Islamic State group.

They are each charged with making preparations for incursions into foreign countries for the purpose of engaging in hostile activities.

Federal agent Jake Samson told the court police now believed the group was planning to travel to the southern Philippines to fight with militant groups aligned with Islamic State.

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