Sales of a violent video game, linked to the brutal murder of a British teenager, were soaring as buyers rushed to buy their copy before the game is banned.
Publicity surrounding the "Manhunt" game has sparked a consumer frenzy in Britain, with copies flying off the shelves in stores where it is still available.
Many multi-media retailers withdrew the game from their stores last week in the wake of media coverage about the murder of 14-year-old Stefan Pakeerah, killed in February by his friend, Warren Leblanc, 17, who was said to be obsessed with the game.
Music chain HMV, one of the few retailers continuing to sell the game -- legally only for those over 18 -- said sales had "significantly increased", to the extent that stores in London and the Scottish city of Aberdeen had to be restocked after running out of copies.