Sideswipe: Cadet Key

Our Prime Minister (left) and the gormless alien from <i>Galaxy Quest</i>. Photo / Supplied

An Australian toddler was so determined to help himself to sweets from a lolly machine that he climbed through the tiny dispensing hatch, ending up imprisoned inside four walls of glass. Cohen Stone, 2, climbed inside the claw grabber machine in an Italian restaurant in Perth. His mother Kyra, 24, said: "My first thought was 'Oh my God'. I just couldn't believe what he had done in that space of time. He was there one minute, inside it the next, like a magician's trick." A locksmith was called and the little boy was released 45 minutes later. His mother said she had trouble convincing her husband the story was true. (Source: Telegraph Group Ltd)

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A reader writes: "I was at the Mobil service station on Lincoln Rd, Henderson, and after filling my motorbike, I made my way into the shop to pay for my gas. When I gave the teller my card, I was asked 'would you like a car wash, sir?' Standing there in my leathers and holding my helmet, I could only shake my head in dismay at what I had just heard. Ten out of 10 for the up-sell."

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Felicity writes: "We found a broken gold chain on the pavement outside our Ponsonby shop. On it is a gold ingot-shaped pendant with a child's name (Azaria) and date of birth engraved on it, and a St Christopher medal. Confirm it's yours by giving the birth date and we'll return it." Email Sideswipe.