SA teen admits some pipe bomb charges

An Adelaide teenager has pleaded guilty to some charges after allegedly carrying a pipe bomb onto a public bus.

The 16-year-old boy appeared by video link in the Adelaide Youth Court on Thursday, where he admitted three charges including taking steps to manufacture an explosive device.

However, the court heard he will contest a charge of endangering life.

The boy, from the southern suburbs, was arrested on March 5 and has spent more than a month in custody.

It is alleged his arrest followed a report to police, which indicated the boy intended to self-harm.

Police say further investigation uncovered CCTV vision and statements revealed he had explosives on the bus, which was travelling a southern suburbs route, but they were not detonated.

A search of the address where the boy was living found other devices.

He is facing a total of nine charges.