Man attacked teenager after online Call of Duty game death

A man attacked a teenager after his character was killed on a violent online computer war game, a court heard.

Mark Bradford, aged 46, grabbed the boy around the throat when he called him names during Call of Duty, Plymouth magistrates heard.

The pair were in their homes playing on their PlayStations and speaking on microphones over the internet, the court was told.

Bradford, of Cardinal Avenue, St Budeaux, Plymouth, admitted assaulting the boy by beating on July 1.

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Gareth Warden, for the Crown Prosecution Service, said the boy was at home playing the war simulation game on his console with some friends.

Bradford, who was in his own flat, was playing with them and controlling his own character on screen.

Mr Warden said: “Mr Bradford was killed during the game and the boy called him a name.”

He added that Bradford went to the boy’s address, walked into the front room and grabbed him around the throat with both hands.

The court heard he was pulled off by the boy’s mum and walked away without saying a word.

Mr Warden said the boy was left with a small scratch and some reddening to the neck.

He added Bradford admitted the offence to police and said he did not know what he was doing.

Tracey Baker, for Bradford, said he “just lost it” and the attack was not planned.

She said that he was provoked by the name-calling and also had mental health issues.

Magistrates ordered a probation officer to prepare a full report on his background before he is sentenced.

He was released on unconditional bail to return to court on October 24.