SA teen admits taking pipe bomb on bus

A teenager who admitted carrying a pipe bomb onto an Adelaide bus has had several other charges against him withdrawn.

The 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared in the Youth Court on Wednesday to plead guilty to possessing an explosive device in a public place in March this year.

He had earlier admitted to three other charges including taking steps to manufacture an explosive device.

Following the plea, prosecutors agreed to withdraw all remaining charges, including one of endangering life.

The court has previously heard the boy's arrest followed a report to police, which indicated he 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, and he originally faced nine charges.

The boy, whose parents were in court on Wednesday, has been in custody since his arrest.

He will next appear in the District Court, where his guilty plea means he will still be sentenced as a youth.

Magistrate Luke Davis remanded him in custody ahead of a sentencing hearing in November.

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