Online games turn British man into hero

Video games not blamed for bravery

By John Oates • Get more from this author

Posted in Law, 29th May 2007 15:57 GMT

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Updated Whenever anyone goes crazy with a gun, the press are usually quick to blame video and computer games for the young person's violence.

So we're grateful to one Reg reader for bringing the following to our attention - a man whose brain was so addled by the filth of online, and LAN gaming that he stepped in to try and stop an armed robbery he saw on the way to work.

At 7.20am on Friday morning Adam Mapleson was on his way to work in IT support. At Rayleigh railway station in Essex he saw a male and female security guard struggling with two men. He went to help the guards and was shot in the chest by one of the men. The robbers got away with the cash box. Security firm Loomis is offering a £25,000 reward for information leading to their capture.

Mapleson is currently being treated at Southend Hospital.

A spokeswoman for the hospital told The Reg: "Adam is still with us and is making satisfactory progress."

British Transport Police have arrested a man from Essex in connection with the robbery and attempted murder.

Adam is a keen CounterStrike player - the first person shoot-em-up. Various gamers forums have covered the story and saluted Mapleson's heroism.

More in Multiplay's forums here, or you can sign a "get well soon" card here on pure pwnage.com. ®