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.

The 16-year-old, who cannot now be named, 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 Melbourne on Saturday.

The party turned sour after revellers clashed with police called in by frightened neighbours. Party goers threw bottles at police cars until the arrival of reinforcements including a helicopter and the police dog squad.

Police on Wednesday laid charges against the teen, including creating a public nuisance and producing child pornography. Although his name has been widely published, he could not now be named under privacy laws for Australia's children's court.

Police told Australian Associated Press the teen had been bailed to appear in court in February, while a second boy was also being interviewed. Images of the widely-photographed teen were pixelated after his charging.

The unrepentant teenager has become a controversial media star since the party, with his exploits making it to global television networks, including the BBC and CNN.

He has been offered thousands of dollars to organise more teen parties, while police have been considering presenting him with a A$20,000 (9,034 pounds) bill for cost of the melee.

His Web site, which has attracted hundreds of comments, says he is a "swinger" and "indignant", and that he remains in hiding with friends. The site jokingly offers to arrange parties for a fee with "a strippa".

"For $20,000 (10,210 pounds) I'll make you internationally famous by getting 500 idiots to attack police cars. Of course, you will have to pay $20,000 to clean up the mess," the profanity-filled site says alongside photos of teenage girls.