Page 10 - IAV Digital Magazine #12

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World’s Biggest Pearl Found Under Filipino Man’s Bed
Johnnie Fleming
When you think of a pearl, a pretty clear image probably pops into your mind: a round and iridescent gem about the size of a pea, or maybe even as big as a gumball if you’re feeling deca- dent.
So it’s OK if it takes a minute or two for your mind to process this next sentence.
Earlier this week, a fish- erman in the Philippines revealed that for the past decade, he has been keeping a 2- foot-long, 1-foot-wide, 75-POUND pearl under his bed.
That’s right. This pearl is roughly the size of a (slightly overweight)
golden retriever. Naturally, the photos really don’t do it justice.
The fisherman stumbled upon this monster when his anchor got caught on the giant clam that pro- duced it. Somehow unaware of its value, he kept it in his house as a good-luck charm until he decided to move.
Instead of tackling the logistics of moving the 75-pound behemoth, he asked his aunt, Aileen Cynthia Maggay- Amurao, to take care of it. She got his permission to turn it into a tourist attraction for the town of Puerto Princesa, where it is now on display.
Maggay-Amurao is attempting to have its authenticity verified,
since its mind-boggling size is unlike anything ever seen — before now, the largest natural pearl ever found was a mere 14 pounds.
She did note, however, that “all recorded giant pearls in the world came from Palawan waters,” the same area where this potential record-set- ter was discovered. Must be something in the water making the giant clams crank out these giant pearls.
For those wondering, the 14-pound pearl had an estimated worth of $93 million. Weighing in at 170,000 carats, the “Pearl of Puerto” remains the fisherman’s property, so he could be in for the bidding war of a lifetime.
ManWhoToldPoliceAbout Sexts Sent By Stepdaughter ConvictedUnder ChildPornLaws
By Tom Cowie
A man who kept sexts sent between his teenage step- daughter and her boyfriend because he wanted police to act has been convicted of pos- sessing child pornography and placed on the sex offenders register.
In a case that could have conse- quences for par- ents concerned about sexting, 57- year-old Ashan Ortell was sen- tenced in the County Court this week after admitting to copying the naked images on to a comput- er and USB stick.
Despite warnings he could be prosecuted, Ortell kept the pictures because he was not sat- isfied by the response from police and the girl's school. He had
informed them about the sexual photos his step- daughter had sent to her boyfriend.
After refusing to delete the pictures, Ortell's computer and USBs were seized in multiple raids by police in 2013. They found
18 images on the devices.
At the time Ortell was caring for his ex- partner's daughter and his three younger chil- dren. He and the girl's mother had separated sometime earlier.
In sentencing Ortell to a 12-month good behav- iour bond, Judge Jane Patric k said it was a "very unusual case" which dif- fered from the typical possession of child pornography where images were kept for sexual motivation or the gratification of others.
"That is not the case in your situation," she said. "You kept the images, I am satisfied, because you were very concerned about what had been going on and foolishly decided that this was the way to deal with it."
The court heard that Ortell had copied the pictures after confis- cating a phone from his stepdaughter, who at the time was aged about 15.
While Ortell's crime was at the "lowest end of this type of offending in terms of moral culpabili- ty", Judge Patrick
said the law stated that people may not keep images of a sexual nature of children.
"There is no suggestion of any exploitation of them by anybody. You made no attempt to con- ceal the images," she said. "In fact you were so concerned that you contacted the authorities about the images."
Under child pornogra- phy laws, Ortell could have faced a maximum five years in prison over the conviction. However Judge Patrick said any sentence must be pro-
portionate to the severi- ty of the crime.
The court heard that Ortell had no prior criminal history and had excellent prospects of rehabilitation. Judge Patrick said the effect on the girl or her boyfriend was unclear as no victim impact statement was given.
Under his guilty plea, Ortell was told he would have to comply with the requirements of the sex offenders regis- ter for eight years.
Registered sex offend- ers must regularly report their whereabouts and are not allowed to work with children.
Victoria Police said that many people were unaware of types of offences they could be committing by keep- ing or sending naked photos.
Police encourage par- ents to consider setting guidelines about mobile phone use. They
are also advised to talk to their children about sexting and encourage them not to communi- cate with people they do not know.
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