Australian wild party teenager arrested
MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Australian police on Wednesday arrested and charged a teenager who became a controversial media star after a wild party at his parents' house became a near riot, forcing police to call in a helicopter and the dog squad.
Corey Delaney, 16, decided to throw a party while his parents were on holidays. He posted a notice on his MySpace site about the party and 500 people turned up to his suburban home in the southern city of Melbourne on Saturday.
The party turned sour after revelers clashed with police called in by frightened neighbors. Party goers threw bottles at police cars until the arrival of reinforcements including a helicopter and the police dog squad.
Police arrested and laid several charges against Delaney over "matters arising from the party", but refused to give details because he was underage and would appear in a children's court, under strict privacy laws.
Images of the widely-photographed teen were pixelated after his charging on Wednesday under court rules for minors.
The unrepentant Delaney has become a controversial media star since the party, with his exploits making it to global television networks like the BBC and CNN.
He has been offered thousands of dollars to organize more teen parties, while police have been considering presenting him with a A$20,000 (US$17,700) bill for cost of the melee.
The teen, who has appeared before the media wearing a fashion ski jacket, no shirt, low-slung trousers and bright yellow sunglasses, was on a local radio station on Wednesday when the host tried to remove his oversize eyewear.
He then ran down a fire escape pursued by cameras, before returning to complete the interview, for which he received A$750. He was later arrested near his home.
In the interview, Delaney told his furious parents, whom he is yet to confront, that he was sorry, but was unsure if he ever wanted to return home after his exploits.
"I do sort of, but don't know right now," he said. Asked if he was just a suburban brat who couldn't handle the truth, a nervous Delaney simply said "Nuh".
Station listeners who called the studio to speak to Delaney were hostile, with one woman telling him he had no respect for anyone and a male caller warning him to "watch out". Victorian state Police Chief Commissioner Christine Nixon this week said the teen needed to learn a lesson "one way or another".
($1=A$1.13)
(Reporting by Rob Taylor, editing by Sanjeev Miglani)
