Copycat parties could kill
TEENAGERS who idolise party boy Corey Worthington are creating scenes of chaos across the country, including an out-of-control party at Bayview Heights on the weekend, with a leading psychologist saying it could lead to someone dying.
Adolescent psychologist Dr Michael Carr-Gregg said the wild party in Cairns and another in Adelaide on Saturday night were proof that the Corey phenomenon had created copycats.
"There would be very little doubt about that," Dr Carr-Gregg said.
"It is very much a case of monkey see, monkey do.
"We really need to do something as a community before someone is killed."
On Saturday, more than 500 gatecrashers showed up at Ben Bauer's 16th birthday party party in Peridot St, Bayview Heights.
The out-of-control party resulted in eight police cars and the dog squad breaking up the festivities after the door of a van was allegedly kicked in and a lawnmower was allegedly stolen.
At the same time, a party in the southern Adelaide suburb of Seacliff Park led to three teenagers being arrested and four police cars being attacked, AdelaideNow reported.
About 100 teenage gatecrashers turned up, leading to the police helicopter being called in after some of them "became aggressive" to officers, a police spokeswoman said.
Dr Carr-Gregg said the two parties were similar to the one thrown by Corey, also known as Corey Delaney, in the Melbourne suburb of Narre Warren last month, with word spreading by text message.
In the early hours of January 12, up to 500 teenagers caused more than $20,000 worth of damage to property after a party organised by 16-year-old Corey turned into a riot and made headlines world-wide.
"Nowadays, news about parties are getting out very quickly," Dr Carr-Gregg said.
"I've been sent three emails with party invitations from MySpace."
Dr Carr-Gregg said while many underage-teenagers did not see Corey`s actions as influential, some thought he was a hero.
"The guy (Corey) was walking down the street signing autographs he had his more than 15 minutes of fame," he said.
"Mums and dads need to get their acts together they like to pass the blame (onto their children).
"They need to parent."
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Party boy: Melbourne lad Corey Worthington.
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