Sydney man charged over alleged childcare centre shooting threat to chatbot
A 29-year-old Sydney man has been charged after allegedly telling AI chatbot Claude he planned to shoot children at a childcare centre near his home. Prosecutors argued against his release on bail, saying the potential consequences of a breach could be catastrophic.
Court documents say David Lan Thackray allegedly referred to shooting a local daycare at a nearby shopping centre and mentioned the alleged Bondi Beach attacker. His lawyer said the remarks were a stress-induced tirade while Thackray was seeking help for an ear infection, and argued there was no substance behind them. Thackray, who has no criminal history, faces one charge of using a carriage service to menace, harass or offend and is due back in court after a mental health assessment.
- Sydney man charged over alleged threats made to an AI chatbot.
- Prosecutors opposed bail, citing the risk of a breach.
- The case is awaiting a mental health assessment.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The prosecution can argue that an explicit threat naming a nearby childcare centre and referring to a recent attacker must be treated seriously, because children and staff could face grave harm if the risk were underestimated. Opposing bail while the circumstances and mental health assessment are examined may be a prudent way to protect the public and ensure the allegations are properly addressed.
The case against
The defence can argue that an alarming statement is not, by itself, proof of a genuine plan or capacity to carry it out, particularly where it was allegedly made during distress while seeking help for a health problem. With no criminal history and no reported evidence here of concrete preparations, detention before trial may be disproportionate; the court can assess risk and consider whether conditions or support would manage it.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Sydney man allegedly threatens to carry out mass shooting at childcare centre during conversation with AI chatbot”.