Computer war game triggers real-life attack

A violent computer war game triggered a real-life assault by a 46-year-old man on a teenager in real life in the United Kingdom. Mark Bradford, 46, faced a UK court in Plymouth for grabbing the boy around the throat when the latter called him names while playing “Call of Duty," UK news site The Plymouth Herald reported. Bradford, of Cardinal Avenue, St Budeaux, admitted assaulting the boy by beating on July 1, the report said. He was released on unconditional bail to return to court on October 24. Magistrates ordered a probation officer to prepare a full report on his background before he is sentenced. Investigation showed Bradford and the boy were playing “Call of Duty" in their homes, playing on their PlayStations and speaking on microphones over the Internet. Prosecutor Gareth Warden said the boy was at home playing the war simulation game on his console with some friends. Bradford was in his own flat, playing with them and controlling his own character on screen. “Mr. Bradford(’s character) was killed during the game and the boy called him a name," Warden said. Warden said Bradford then went to the boy’s address, walked into the front room and grabbed him around the throat with both hands. The boy’s mother had to pull him off. After the assault, Bradford walked away without saying a word. The boy suffered a small scratch and some reddening to the neck. Warden said Bradford admitted the offense to police and said he did not know what he was doing. But Bradford’s lawyer Tracey Baker said Bradford “just lost it" and the attack was not planned. She said Bradford was provoked by the name-calling and also had mental health issues. — TJD, GMA News