FarmVille Debt Sparks Hamnett Murder

In 2011, 23-year-old Manchester resident Adam Hamnett stole blind man Brian McKenzie's credit card and spent £70 on FarmVille items, only to panic when McKenzie warned he would call the police if the money was not repaid. Instead of paying him back, Hamnett went to the home of 58-year-old Peter Bousted, his mother's former lover, where he stabbed Bousted 26 times and smashed a bottle over his head, then stole his benefit money.

He used the cash to buy crack cocaine while binging on tranquilizers, later telling his brother he had "flipped out" and "battered" the victim. Hamnett called 999, admitted he had done something "very bad," and after pleading guilty received a life sentence with a minimum term of 20 years.

Previous Fact Next Fact