Gammy’s surrogate mum facing charges

An Australian couple left their Down Syndrome baby with his surrogate mother in Thailand, while taking the boys healthy twin sister. WSJs Ramy Inocencio talks to Sam Everingham, director of Families Through Surrogacy, on the backlash in Australia.

• Father convicted for multiple offences against children
• Friend says couple were told Gammy would not survive
• Neighbours describe parents as 'decent' and 'lovely'
• Case 'highlights dangers in international surrogacy': PM

THAI medical authorities are threatening to take legal action against a 21-year old surrogate Thai woman at the centre of global debate over the alleged abandoning of a Down syndrome baby by an Australian couple.

The Thai Ministry of Public Health says it is co-ordinating with other agencies in a crackdown against medical facilities and agencies linked to the commercial surrogacy the ministry calls "illegal".

Thai reports said the ministry is also considering charges against the surrogate mother, Pattaramon Chanbua, a food stall seller from the southern province of Sri Racha.

The ministry says the fact that Ms Pattaramon received payment of $15,000 as the surrogate mother was in contravention of Thailand's human trafficking laws.

Investigations are now under way by Thailand's Bureau of Sanatorium and Art in Healing under the Department of Health Service Support (HSS) into the surrogacy service clinics.

There are reported to be an estimated 20 surrogacy agencies, most said to be foreign owned, drawing in an estimated 4.0 billion baht ($A133 million) annually.

Seven-month-old baby, Gammy, is receiving treatment at a Bangkok hospital where the child is being treated for a congenital heart condition. A spokesman for the hospital said the baby was now receiving specialist care and is "in safe hands".

The Australian man at the centre of the Thai surrogate abandoned baby row has multiple convictions for sexual offences against children.

David John Farnell was jailed for three years in 1997 after admitting to sexually assaulting two young children.

According to media reports from the time, the West Australian electrician, who was then 39, pleaded guilty to the sex crimes and had previously admitted to molesting two teenage girls 15 years earlier.

In the newspaper article, Judge Michael O'Sullivan said his actions had violated the youngsters' innocence and warranted a jail term.

He said Farnell would normally receive four years for his crimes but instead would be sentenced to three years because of his early guilty plea.

The revelations come as a friend of the couple accused of abandoning baby Gammy spoke out on behalf of the 'devastated' pair, saying many statements made by the surrogate mother have been lies.

Speaking to the Bunbury Mail newspaper, the unnamed friend of the couple says the parents are legally unable to speak, but were distressed by reports they did not want to bring the little boy home.

The friend said the couple were told baby Gammy had a congenital heart condition and would "not survive a day".

The friend insisted they wanted to bring Gammy home to Australia, but were told by doctors that he was too unwell.

Thai surrogate mother Pattaramon Chanbua holds her baby Gammy. She has been described as a "saint" and "absolute hero" by Australian Immigration Minister Scott Morrison. Picture: AFP Source: AFP

"This has been absolutely devastating for them, they are on the edge," the family friend said, adding that reports the couple wanted Gammy aborted when they learned he had a disability were also false.

A legal battle ensued and the couple became fearful they would not be able to bring Gammy's healthy twin sister home to WA.

"The biological parents were heartbroken that they couldn't take their boy with them and never wanted to give him up, but to stay would risk them losing their daughter also," the friend said.

"They prayed for Gammy to survive but were told by doctors that he was too sick, not because of Down syndrome but because of his heart and lung conditions and infection."

Farnell and his wife Wendy have denied abandoning seven-month-old baby Gammy who has Down syndrome and a congenital heart disease.

The couple are believed to have paid $16,000 for the surrogate who claimed they took the healthy twin, a girl, but left Gammy behind.

The couple told media today in a statement they did not abandon Gammy and that the doctor told them baby Gammy would not survive more than a day.

The Nine Network reported last night that the man's wife confirmed her husband had a conviction for indecently dealing with a child under 13 and had served jail time after being found guilty in the 90s.

The report comes as neighbours rallied around the parents, describing them as "very nice, decent people".

Seven-month-old Gammy, who suffers a congenital heart condition and Down syndrome, was one of two twins surrogate mother Pattharamon Janbua claims she gave birth to in Thailand nine months ago.

The couple is listed as a success story on Chinese dating agency website Zhanjiang Happy Marriage Agency. They married in 2004 in China after meeting eight months earlier.

"(They) were very responsible and sincere to their marriage. In order to know more about the lady, (the man) came to Jianjiang on 22 June of 2004 for their meeting and interaction," it says.

"They decided to get married on 11 July in China. When the man came again in October of 2004, they held their wedding."

The couple was not at home this morning and the only sign of life was a barking dog at the side gate.

But Bevan Garstone, 85, and his wife Joan, 83, who live several doors down on the same South Bunbury street, said they were surprised at allegations the couple abandoned their disabled surrogate baby.

They were also shocked at reports the father had previously been convicted of a sex offence.

LEFT BEHIND: Funds raised for abandoned baby with Down syndrome

"I will not allow them to come to take my baby away" ... Thai surrogate mother Pattaramon Chanbua holds Gammy. Picture: AFP Source: AFP

"They're very nice people and good neighbours," Mr Garstone said.

"They're lovely people and they seem very decent."

Mrs Garstone said she had seen the couple with their new baby girl but had not spoken to them since.

"We knew they had a new baby. They seemed like a very happy family," she said.

The street where the couple live in South Bunbury, about 200km south of Perth, is a quiet, leafy street in a middle-income part of WA's second biggest city.

Many retirees now call the suburb home.

But the home of Gammy's would-be parents stands out. It is a newly painted and renovated two-storey property with giant tropical palm trees in the front yard.

Another neighbour, Mark Spice, said he had never met the couple, who he described as quiet.

"I only knew he had an Asian wife," Mr Spice said.

Another resident in the street, who did not want to be named, said the couple seemed like "lovely people" but kept largely to themselves.

Ms Chanbua last night said the Australian parents knew of the boy's condition and asked her to abort the boy after he was diagnosed with Down syndrome in the womb.

She cried, refused and told them she would take care of both the babies if they did not want them. They eventually agreed to take the girl.

During a press conference in Thailand today she said that after hearing about the molestation charges she would "like to bring my daughter back to Thailand".

She said Gammy's health was improving and she was looking forward to bringing him home.

"He had a scan today and the results were good. I hope to take him home within the next two or three days. His heart seems to be OK which is a great relief.

"I feel enormously grateful and blessed for the assistance I have received from overseas and here in thailand. The money will all go towards gammy's health and education and will enable him to lead as normal life as possible. I have to thank the news organisations who have publicised the story. I never expected it to be so big."

Immigration Minister Scott Morrison labelled Ms Chanbua a "saint" and an "absolute hero" and said the outpouring of support was a strong indicator of the way Australians felt about the situation.

Mr Morrison's office later said in a statement that "the child may be eligible for Australian citizenship".

MOIRA'S PLEA: Kelly pleas for Gammy to be treated in Melbourne

"All the money will be spent for the best of the baby" ... Pattaramon Chanbua, 21, with her sons Game, 7, and Gammy. Picture: AP Source: AP

Gammy's story could prompt the Australian government to look closer at surrogacy laws with the Department of Foreign Affairs already examining practices in Thailand.

Agencies were working with Thai officials on the broader surrogacy issues, the department said.

Mr Morrison said the legalities surrounding international surrogacy were "very, very, very murky" and regulations must be looked at carefully.

"Sure, there are lots of Australians who are desperate to be parents but that can never, I think, sanction what we have just seen here," he said.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott has also said the case illustrates the pitfalls of international surrogacy.

WA Premier Colin Barnett described it as a "very sad and distressing situation" but said there was not much the state government could do.

Commercial surrogacy, where a woman is paid a fee to carry a child, is illegal in Australia.

However, if there is an agreement for the biological parents to cover just medical and other reasonable costs, the practice is legal.

GAMMY CASE PREVENTABLE: Lawyer says government should act

Rejected because of disability? ... Pattaramon Chanbua plays with Gammy. Picture: AFP Source: AFP

Thai law firm, Chaniwat and Leeds, which says it will cover surrogacy and IVF cases on its website, warns of possible "complicated legal issues".

"While surrogacy in Thailand is currently an option and a rapidly-growing area of medical innovation, there are a number of legal considerations prospective parents should consider," the firm said.

The lawyers said Thailand currently has no laws or published case decisions directly relating to the practice of surrogacy, "and in essence surrogacy is neither legal nor illegal in Thailand". Agencies and health clinics openly engage in locating surrogate mothers and egg donors.

"Thailand's Medical Council has taken a cautious approach to the practices of IVF implantation, egg donation, and surrogacy; these practices are still in a legal and medical 'grey area'," the firm said.

Gammy's picture has been beamed around the world and has prompted donations of more than $230,000 in 13 days to pay for his future in Thailand.

"Our hearts are filled with love for all the people around the world who have taken time out of their lives to give thought to Gammy," his donation page reads.

The donations meant Gammy could be moved to a private hospital with specialist care and Ms Chanbua promises all the funds will go to him, ABC reported.

"I will make sure all the money, every single Baht, is well spent for the best of the baby," she said.

She says even if his biological parents come back for him, she's now his mother.

"I will not allow them to come to take my baby away," she said.

"I love him."

Abandoned but now cared for by his surrogate mother ... Six-months-old baby Gammy. Picture: Hope for Gammy Source: Supplied

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Chessboxing: blood sport for nerds

Chess boxing, the hot new sport mixes brains and braun. Courtesy Dateline, SBS.

Competitors slug it out sitting down first to a game of chess, then the fists start flying. Source: SBS

IT'S a sport using both brains and brawn, and victory is not just determined by knockout.

But for the fighters in the ring, chessboxing is about more than just getting a check mate or a knock out.

It's a sheer battle of wills.

The once underground sport which used to be a haven for nerds has now grown to be a popular blood sport among everyday fighters — and it is growing everyday.

Not only does the sport, which combines chess and boxing, have its own world title, but it has a cult following.

Chessboxing may sound like a strange combination, but not to these guys. Source: SBS

SBS Dateline reporter Aaron Lewis delves into the sport which is already taking London by storm in a show to be aired tonight.

And while it sounds a little strange to some, the young sport has two ways of winning and losing.

A match consists of 11 alternating rounds, six of chess, and five of boxing with standard rules applied for both sports.

"Victory is by checkmate, knockout, time-out in chess, or finally win by points in boxing," Lewis explains.

Chessboxing has taken off in London. Source: SBS

"To put it simply — the ways to win are lose are the same as competitive chess and boxing — chessboxing just affords twice the ways of both winning and losing."

While it's not known exactly where and when it took off, the sport has been around in London since 2008, and according to Lewis had its first mention in a Japanese comic in the 1970s.

He reckons Australians would take to it, and the sport isn't just for nerds.

"It really is a game of chess first, boxing second," he said.

"But a strong boxer has equal right to compete, and in some ways has an advantage. You have to be strong in both disciplines, which is what makes it so much fun."

Fighters slug it out in the ring as part of a chess-boxing match. Source: SBS

It's not known how many fighters take part, but all bouts are official events.

According to Lewis, more people are taking up the sport as they look to try something new.

"This is a sport for people who want to test themselves or others across that exact boundary," he said.

"They do play chess and box separately, but all seem to enjoy the fusion more."

According to the World Chessboxing Association, the sport has its own code of conduct which includes the observance of fair play, a qualified doctor being on hand at all times, and an age limit for child competitors.

Chessboxing airs tonight at 9.30pm on SBS One.

Originally published as Chessboxing: blood sport for nerds

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Australia, you were sneaky kids

Brussels sprouts ... eughh! Source: Supplied

DINNER time ... it's the great Aussie battle, when parents beg, bargain and blast at kids to eat their greens.

New research by SPC has revealed three out of four Aussie parents with children aged between two and 12 years of age, struggle to get their kids to eat their fruit and veggies. A quarter of parents face this battle daily.

SPC's survey also showed the most common sneaky tricks children employ to avoid eating veggies. Whether it meant offloading the greens to another family member (21 per cent), shoving them down their shirt (6 per cent), giving it to the dog (9 per cent) or just kicking up a royal fuss (28 per cent), these kids are gurus at veggie-avoidance.

We asked news.com.au readers to share nostalgic stories of their childhood dinner table, and discovered that Aussies are seasoned experts in the art of vegetable deception. Here are the best.

Hiding it under the napkin ... genius! Source: Supplied

Donna M: "I hated peas with a passion, and when I was 6 I discovered our Formica table had a metal lip underneath that was just the right width to hold a pea. When we moved a few years later, hundreds of dried peas scattered across the kitchen floor when the removal men picked up the table. Busted!"

Penni P: "Mum always sat me at the table until I ate all of my peas. At some point she would need to go to the toilet or check on my siblings, so I would sneak to the kitchen sink and pour them down the drain. That, or sneakily open the back door and throw them onto the lawn. I thought she never knew, but mums just do ..."

James Z: " Put them in [my] underpants, when everybody else finished eating, said I needed to go to the bathroom. Flushed them down [the toilet]."

Mason B: "I used to feed all my veggies to the dog ... until Mum busted me shovelling peas on the floor for it to hoover up. Fido was banned from the family room during mealtimes after that."

Feeding your veggies to the dog ... oldest trick in the veggie-avoidance book. Source: Supplied

Bec P: " I always wore my 'special jacket' to the table. I would chew all my veggies up and wait 'til my mum or dad were distracted and spit mouth full after mouth full down my sleeve. When all was gone I would then kindly offer to get them a drink of water and while in the kitchen throw all the chewed up mush into the unused old matters stove.

"This went on for months before my jacket started stinking and grew mould so I stopped however they never found the veggies until we moved out 2 years later when they went to clean it out. They were completely confused about what all the mouldy, smelly stuff was and I never told them. Got kids of my own now and besides one of them hiding peas up their nose (which caused it to bleed) I think I'm super vigilant and no one is allowed a drink at the table."

Bernadette M: "I would pretend to fall asleep at the table."

Sarah A: "I would get a sandwich bag and put it down my shirt so the top of the bag was in line with the top of my shirt. When I picked up my vegies I would just pull the top of my shirt out and put the vegies in the sandwich bag when mum wasn't looking. It gave the illusion than the vegies were going towards my mouth."

Brussels sprouts up the sleeve ... clever but mushy. Source: Supplied

Christine P: "I hated peas with a passion. I used to pop half my peas through the holes in the curtains behind my chair. Lol. Still get s**t put on me by family to this day 35 years later."

Bronnie K: "I would load up my cheeks with veggies and then make out that I needed to blow my nose. Out in the kitchen while still in view of mum and dad I would slightly turn my back to them and at the same time as blowing my nose I would spit the veggies into the tissues and then dispose of the lot into the bin. It took a while before mum and dad caught on."

Nicole T: "The only way I could ingest peas was to have a drink and swallow the peas like tablets. Hated them then and still do now. I don't even feed them to my children!"

Hiding broccoli outside in the bushes. Good move, kid. Source: Supplied

Philip J: "Went to the toilet a lot and used to stuff my peas and corn up my sleeve before hiding them in a cushion cover."

Becca W: "I was dared once and ate a plate of green beans and in return got 5 little blueberry pies ... took me 2 hours swallowing them whole. I absolutely hated beans, loved blueberry pies and now I hate both."

Alicia S: "I used to have a tissue on my lap and would put the veggies I didn't like it the tissue and then flush them down the toilet. Love veggies now though!"

If we're going to be honest, the only way you can get kids to eat veggies is by making meals like this. And who has time for that? Source: ThinkStock

So evidently, Aussie are a sneaky bunch. For those parents who are pulling out their hair trying to entice their children to eat veggies, here's what you have to look out for.

SPC's top list of tactics included*:

· Begging or whingeing (38.65%)

· Throwing tantrums (28.19%)

· Crying (27.19%)

· Giving it to another family member (21.12%)

· Pretending that their food makes them physically ill (17.83%)

· Feeding it to a pet (9.76%)

· Hiding food under the rim of their plate or cutlery (6.97%)

· Hiding food around the house such as in pot plants or furniture (6.67%)

*The SPC Sneaky Kids Survey was conducted by Pure Profile on behalf of SPC in July 2014, involving a representative sample of over 1,000 Australian parents with children aged 2—12 years of age from across Australia.

How did you avoid eating veggies as a kid? Comment below or join the conversation on Twitter @newscomauHQ | @gracekoelma

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My Granny The Escort — too far?

You won't believe what this granny gets up to behind closed doors... Courtesy: Channel Nine

#crazycool, Picture: YOUTUBE My Granny the Escort hooker UK TV show Source: Supplied

WE'VE witnessed naked dating, sat through episodes of Sex Box and eyeballed more embarrassing bodies than we'd care to admit.

But a few words no one EVER wants to hear in a sentence together — let alone the name of a TV show — is My Granny The Escort.

And yet, the no-holds-barred British documentary will air on Channel 9 tonight, taking viewers inside the world of elderly call girls and exploring the hidden truths behind pensioner sex for sale.

Yes, that's right. Pensioner. Sex. For sale.

The program features three grandmothers: Sheila (84), Beverley (64) and Sophie (57) — all three sell sex from hotel rooms or their homes. The brazen senior citizens maintain the main reason they pursue sex work is simply because they enjoy it.

Sheila, who has been working as an escort for the last four years since her second husband passed away, told Kiis FM hosts Kyle and Jackie O that she's "always loved sex" when quizzed by the radio duo as to how she got into this line of work.

"I became lonely and was looking (on) the internet and I saw an agency that advertised for older escorts and I thought, well ... I decided that I would try this out because I've always loved sex and I've always loved to keep a man happy."

The pensioner pockets an impressive $450 an hour and entertains up to 10 clients a week — some as young as 20.

"The services that I offer is that I will give a man lots of love and affection and end up with intercourse. Always take protection of course, that's very, very important and women should get checked out, always," Sheila added.

In the rest of the interview she spoke matter-of-factly about her very first customer, shaving, "going down there", fantasies and threesomes — no subject was off limits and it certainly gave us some insight into how tonight's docco is going to play out.

I know one viewer who will be switching off after House Husbands on Channel 9 tonight, and it seems I'm not alone.

The discussion is kicking off over on our Facebook page. Source: Facebook

Does Nine really need to air this program? Surely there's a re-run of McLeod's Daughters they could dig up instead. Tell us what you think.

Extraordinary Lives: My Granny the Escort, premiers Monday, August 4, at 9.30pm on Nine.

Cover your eyes, My Granny the Escort is coming. Source: Supplied

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LIVE: Diamonds vs Silver Ferns

Natalie Medhurst will be chasing revenge for the Diamonds' loss four years ago. Source: News Corp Australia

JOIN us from 9pm AEST as Australia seeks redemption against New Zealand in the Commonwealth Games netball gold medal match.

It's been four long years since the Silver Ferns triumphed by a single goal in one of the most thrilling battles ever seen in the history of the sport, and just another in arguably the greatest of all the trans-Tasman rivalries.

Four current Diamonds were there that night — Laura Geitz, Natalie Medhurst, Renae Hallinan and Kim Green — and all of them remember all too well the pain of watching Kiwi goal attack Maria Tutaia nail the winning shot.

FOLLOW THE ACTION IN OUR LIVE BLOG BELOW

AUSSIES MISS OUT IN WOMEN'S ROAD RACE

AUSTRALIA has missed out on a medal in the women's road race despite having two riders in the decisive breakaway of seven.

Tiffany Cromwell was just millimeteres away from a bronze medal in a sprint against South Africa's Ashleigh Pasio, while English duo Lizzie Armitstead and Emma Pooley executed the perfect one-two slingshot to grab the top two spots on the podium.

Australians Cromwell, Gracie Elvin, Melissa Hoskins and Shara Gillow were extremely active throughout the first half of the race before a breakaway of seven riders, including Cromwell and Elvin, formed inside the last 50km.

England's Lizzie Armitstead crosses the line to win the gold medal in the women's road race. Source: AFP

With 15km remaining Pooley attacked and quickly grabbed 15-second advantage, but the best was yet to come when Armitstead launched her own solomove, bridging the gap to Pooley and then racing past her and on to claim the gold medal.

Pooley, who was competing in her final race before retiring, finished 25 seconds behind Armitstead, while Pasio and Cromwell were a further 46 seconds behind.

MORE HEARTBREAK FOR ENGLISH NETBALLERS

English goaler Jo Harten is given a workover by Nicole Pinnock and Malysha Kelly. Source: Getty Images

AS if losing by a goal to the world's two top netball nations wasn't painful enough, England lost its bronze medal playoff game against Jamaica.

Again the English produced a thriller, with the scores tied at 37-37 at three-quarter time, but Jamaica found something extra in the final quarter to pull away and win 52-48.

The decision to leave towering goal shooter Jhaniele Fowler-Reid on the bench and replace her with fellow tall Romelda Aiken proved inspired for Jamaica, with Aiken shooting 44 goals from 52 attempts to lead her team to victory.

Originally published as LIVE: Diamonds vs Silver Ferns

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Why Sloan from Entourage is the perfect woman

Sloan. Perfection. Source: YouTube

IT'S completely natural for guys to never get over their first love.

But the fact that Entourage has been off the air for almost four years, and I still haven't gotten over Sloan is an entirely different matter.

There's really only been one fictional character to steal my heart with as much vigour as Sloan McQuewick, and that was Adam Sandler's third grade teacher in Billy Madison. And although Veronica Vaughn is certainly one of the baddest, Sloan might be the one.

I know I don't stand alone here. Anyone who's seen an episode of Entourage containing at least one quick "SSS," or Sloan Sex Scene, can attest that, when push comes to shove, Sloan is still the wife every guy wishes he had. For a number of reasons.

Did I mention SSSes? Whenever s**t gets hot and steamy between Sloan and E, the fine folks at HBO are always the first on-sight with a camera.

The Entourage stars: Adrian Grenier, Kevin Connolly Jerry Ferrara and Kevin Dillon. Source: Supplied

For obvious reasons, like avoiding full-fledged pornography, HBO simply won't show a naked Sloan — at least from the front.

Thankfully, for males around the world, Sloan was blessed with one of the best sideboob games on the planet, and that we're allowed to see (insert maniacal laugh).

So yeah, for starters, Sloan is drop dead gorgeous — and it extends far past side-vantage-points of her breasts.

Trendy sun hats, one-piece bathing suits, off the shoulder sweaters with the bra strap sticking out — Sloan's style is always on point.

While looks aren't everything, especially with regard to Sloan, they definitely suffice. I mean, I surely wouldn't be complaining.

But Sloan is more than just her looks. She's smart, witty and a great conversationalist. I feel like if Sloan were a real chick, she'd never Instagram her food. She'd sooner talk about something enriching, like prenups. Sorry E.

Oh yeah, she's also filthy rich. Without working. I guess what makes her even more attractive is that she doesn't have to.

Smokin in red. Source: Supplied

Although she doesn't work, she does have a life outside of their relationship. As a result, she doesn't nag E about the little sh*t, and if she does, she wins rather quickly.

She had E wrapped around her finger so tightly that he would've removed his own penis for one more chance to spend his money on her. And I would've probably done the same. Especially if I were E.

The way I see it, Eric Murphy is in a class of his own. Next to Muggsy Bogues' 14-year career in the NBA, as a 5'3" point guard — dating Sloan, for eight seasons, is the most impressive feat ever pulled off by a short dude.

It's not even so much of a knock at E as it is a feather in the cap of Sloan. Their relationship shows that Sloan isn't all about looks. Or height. And whereas I'm sure Vince would've loved the chance to date Sloan, she was unwavering in her desire to make it work with his pint-sized best friend. That's loyalty. And that's why we want to marry her.

But we also want to marry Sloan because she is a woman who knows what she wants (even if that happens to be Eric Murphy).

Smokin in white. Source: Supplied

Although their on-screen relationship consisted of nearly as many breakups as there were episodes, she never gave up on her relationship with our guy, E. Also, when they're not together, Sloan becomes the friend who is impossible to actually have, in reality, following a breakup.

To date, only Eric Murphy and Jerry Seinfeld have successfully pulled off this manoeuvre.

Ultimately, Sloan's charm lies in the fact that she has it all. She's got the looks and the brains. She's got her own money.

She came up surrounded by stars, so she's not impressed easily. Except when it comes to boyfriends, then she settles. Which is great for us.

If only she really existed.

This article originally appeared on Elite Daily .

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Teens turn apartment into pool

Clever thinking or disaster in the making? We're not sure how things turned out for these Russian teens. Source: Supplied

THIS is either the best idea ever or the worst idea ever.

A couple of Russian teenagers turned their apartment into a giant swimming pool. They covered the floors with polythene film and filled their living room with water.

It was quite hot in Russia, with temperatures topping out around 36 degrees. Thus, the boys took it upon themselves to find a clever way to cool off. They made sure to cover the radiators and the furniture in the flat and filled the room with several feet of water.

However, there are some definite questions raised by the creation of this makeshift swimming pool. First of all, where are these kids' parents?

Did they get permission from the landlord and neighbours to do this? How the hell are they going to get rid off all that water when the time comes?

This one seems like it could go real bad real quick. But, in the meantime, let's let these boys of summer enjoy their fun in their homemade indoor pool.

What could be better than cooling off in an indoor jacuzzi? Source: Supplied

Putting it on Facebook perhaps? Source: Supplied

Surf's up! Source: Supplied

Just don't tell the parents. Source: Supplied

Until they see it online. Source: Supplied

This story was originally published on Elite Daily and is republished here with permission.

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Inside Slenderman girl’s mind

Morgan Geyser Geyser and Anissa Weier are accused of luring a friend to the woods after a sleepover and stabbing her 19 times to please Slenderman, a fictional online horror character. Courtesy: Fox News

ONE of two 12-year-old girls charged as an adult with stabbing a classmate to please the fictional online horror character of Slenderman has been declared mentally incompetent and unable to stand trial.

Morgan Geyser of Wisconsin, told two doctors she could communicate telepathically with a multitude of fictional characters.

Geyser and 12-year-old Anissa Weier are accused of luring a friend to the woods after a sleepover — and stabbing her 19 times to please Slenderman.

Judge Michael Bohren found her unfit for trial, and ordered that she be committed for treatment.

She will be evaluated and treated either in a hospital or in a juvenile detention centre, where she currently is being held.

Doctors have a year to restore her to competency in order to proceed with a trial.

If it cannot be restored, she could be held in a treatment centre.

Judge Bohren acted after receiving reports from two doctors and hearing from lawyers.

He set a hearing for November 12 to get an update on her condition.

MORE: The terrifying Slenderman cult online

SLENDERMAN VICTIM: Leaves hosptial to recover at home

Mentally incompetent for trial ... Morgan Geyser. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

The girl's lawyer previously said he believed she was mentally ill and a primary goal would be to have her case moved from adult to juvenile court, where more mental health and other services might be available.

Wisconsin law requires anyone age 10 or older to be charged as adults in severe crimes.

According to court documents, the girls plotted for months to kill their friend to curry favour with Slenderman, a character in horror stories they read online.

They told investigators they believed Slenderman had a mansion in a Wisconsin forest and they planned to go live with him after the slaying.

Dr. Brooke Lundbohm of the Wisconsin Forensic Unit testified Friday that she interviewed Geyser in June. The girl claims to see and hear things that others cannot — including unicorns, Slenderman and Voldemort, an antagonist in the Harry Potter series, Lundbohm said.

"She once regressed into ramblings about a student in her class being a Pegasus," said Dr. Lundbohm said, Fox6now.com reports.

Fictional but dangerous ... the online character of Slenderman. Source: Supplied

"Despite our very serious conversation, she would laugh almost hysterically," Lundbohm testified, noting that she squatted on her interview chair and was in near constant motion.

A psychiatrist hired by the defence, Kenneth Robbins, testified that she was more concerned about her relationship with Slenderman than she was about going to prison.

She said she communicated telepathically with Slenderman and feared he would harm her or her family if she said too much about him, Robbins said.

He said she also speaks and sees Voldemort's snake and another fictional character, a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle.

"For her, these are real characters," Robbins said. "She sees them and they have discussions back and forth."

Crime scene ... where the victim was attacked. Source: Supplied

Geyser, who was found mentally incompetent, hosted the other two at a May 30 slumber party to celebrate her birthday. The next morning, the two girls attacked the victim in a wooded Waukesha park.

Once the attackers left, the 12-year-old victim crawled from the woods to a road where a passing bicyclist found her. Doctors later told police the girl had narrowly escaped death because the knife just missed a major artery near her heart.

The child has since been released from the hospital and is recovering at home. Police have not identified her, and her parents asked friends to keep her name secret.

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Six life lessons video games taught me

Games? These days a video game is far more than that. If you want to learn about the outside world or know how to be a team leader it's time you picked up a controller. Source: Supplied

I MIGHT not have noticed it at the time, but looking back, video games have had a big impact on my life.

Games are no longer just games anymore. They can be deep, immense stories that can pull at all your emotions. They can connect you to people from all across the globe, making everyone forget the differences we all hold.

More importantly than all that, video games can teach you some important life lessons which you will hold onto forever.

THE VIDEO GAME TURNING GEEKS INTO RACING DRIVERS

HOW THESE GAMERS JUST BECAME MILLIONAIRES

After you. Sometimes taking a back seat to the glittering hero role is a good thing. Source: News Corp Australia

1. Being a team player — Battlefield/Counter Strike

When I was younger, I always wanted to be the best, to shine above everyone else and would often try to make myself look good before getting the teams job done. But that's not how life works. When you're in a team, sometimes you have to take the supporting role and let the team's star do their thing. First-person shooter games, where you work in groups, trying to rush ahead to be the hero can end up in a splattered case of game over. Knowing your role is key to reaching those goals quicker (and less messy) as a team.

Taking in the surrounds of the vast open maps of a game might even inspire you to do the same for real. Source: Supplied

2. There's a big world out there to explore — Grand Theft Auto

While Grand Theft Auto might be known more for its car jackings and police chases than genuine exploring, it can open your eyes to exploring the world around you. GTA V does this best. You can hang glide, scuba dive or just play a game of tennis. Sure, it's fun in the game, but all that stuff is out there in the real world for you to do as well.

3. Don't help someone who can't be bothered helping themself — Various games

The typical escort mission in video games where you need to get a target to safety can be a horrible experience, usually because the VIP you're escorting is a generally useless human who gets you both killed. Just like in life, I found not to bother trying to help someone who won't lift a finger to help themselves.

4. Nothing worth doing is easy — Just about every game, ever

Whether you lost count the amount of times it took you to beat the third gym in Pokemon Silver or it took 43 attempts to beat General Raam in Gears of War, you eventually did it. So next time something hard comes up in real life, think back to your video game self and keep at it, you will eventually get there and the reward will be more than worth it.

This guy was a massive pest. But he can teach some good lessons. Source: Supplied

5. Life is going to throw some curve balls — Mario Kart

I don't exactly have all that much life experience, but a few curve balls have still certainly come my way, knocking me down when I felt like everything was great. Just like when you think you've got the race in the bag on Mario Kart when — bam — a blue shell strikes you and steals your lead. The only thing you can do is get right back up and racing again, and that's the same with life.

It was probably the saddest moment in video game history, but the ending of Metal Gear Solid 3 taught us that doing what's best for the greater good might not be what's best for you. Source: Supplied

6. The right thing to do might not make you happy, but it's the right thing to do. — Metal Gear Solid 3

It might not give you great fanfare and will often cause suffering on your behalf. But if something is the right thing to do, it's the right thing to do. Just like sacrificing yourself for the good of others.

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Harris seeks leave to appeal sentence

Set to appeal ... disgraced entertainer Rolf Harris. Source: Supplied

REPORTS are emerging that disgraced entertainer Rolf Harris will seek leave to appeal his conviction for indecent assault.

The disgraced entertainer was convicted of 12 indecent assaults on a string of underage women, and sentenced to five years and nine months.

But The Sun is reporting confirmation from the Judicial Office in the UK that lawyers for the 84-year-old had lodged an appeal notice this week.

Earlier this week, UK Attorney General Jeremy Wright stated that he would not be seeking to appeal the length of Harris's sentence, despite receiving 150 submissions from the public complaining that it was too lenient.

Wright acknowledged that the ruling would cause disappointment, but said the courts were bound by the maximum sentence in force at the time of the offences.

Victims of Rolf Harris reacted with fury

Journalist Letitia Fitzpatrick, who waived her anonymity to tell how Harris also assaulted her, said she was 'bitterly disappointed', adding: "He has shown no remorse … [the sentence] is a betrayal of those victims."

Trial judge Nigel Sweeney made some of the sentences on the 12 counts consecutive to make up the total term, of which Harris will serve around half, but also had to take into account the entertainer's age.

The television star, artist and songwriter was found guilty of indecently assaulting four victims between 1969 and 1986, including the childhood best friend of his daughter Bindi.

"You have shown no remorse for your crimes at all," Sweeney told Harris as he handed down his sentence earlier in July.

"Your reputation lies in ruins, you have been stripped of your honours, but you have no one to blame but yourself."

Harris was the second person to be convicted under a wide-ranging police investigation set up in the wake of revelations that the late Jimmy Savile, a fellow major BBC star, was a prolific abuser.

Scotland Yard is considering further allegations against Harris.

Seven of the 12 counts against Harris related to the friend of Bindi, including one incident when she was 15 where he seriously sexually assaulted her while his daughter slept in the adjacent bed.

The entertainer's conviction caused widespread revulsion in Britain, where his television programs were watched by millions of children, and his homeland of Australia.

He was made a CBE in 2006 — one step below a knighthood — and even painted Queen Elizabeth II's portrait to mark her 80th birthday.

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