Asia-Pacific News
Teen who killed to pay for online games gets 18 years in jail
Jan 11, 2012, 12:01 GMT
Hanoi - A teen who confessed to murder and robbery to pay for online games was sentenced to 18 years in prison by a Vietnamese court Wednesday.
Bac Giang Provincial People's Court sentenced Le Van Luyen for killing a 37-year-old man, his wife and 19-month-old daughter. He also cut off the hand of the couple's 9-year-old daughter.
During the two-day trial, the 17-year-old murderer admitted he needed money for online games and his debts.
'I apologize to the family of the victims and to my relatives,' he said. 'Please reduce my sentence for them. For me, I am ready to receive the highest sentence.'
Luyen was arrested in August, one week after the killings. He confessed to attacking the shopowner and his family with a knife at their gold shop in Bac Giang province, taking jewellery and gold worth around 100,000 dollars.
He said he needed the money to play Kiem The, a violent online video game.
Online games have received negative media coverage in Vietnam, with many reports linking them with violent crime.
In March, the government attempted to ban online gaming from 10 pm to 8 am but many internet cafes continue business behind closed doors.
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