A number of high street retailers have taken the violent computer game Manhunt off their shelves. The move comes after the parents of a schoolboy murdered by a friend blamed the game for their son's death. Warren Leblanc, 17, from the UK, on Wednesday pleaded guilty to the murder of 14-year-old Stefan Pakeerah in February 2004. Stefan's parent's claimed Leblanc had been obsessed by the game but standards bodies have rejected the link.

Leblanc had savagely beaten his victim with a claw hammer and stabbed him repeatedly after luring him to a local park. Leicester Crown Court heard the defendant had planned to rob Stefan. However, Stefan's mother, Giselle, claimed Leblanc had been obsessed by the game, which awards points for savage killings.

Immediately after the hearing she said: "I can't believe that this sort of material is allowed in a society where anarchy is not that far removed." A spokeswoman for Dixons said on Thursday: "We are taking it off the shelves with immediate effect."

In addition to the Dixons Group Plc, which includes PC World and Currys, video game specialist Game announced that it had taken Manhunt off its shelves as a mark of respect. Other stores including WH Smith are debating whether to stop selling the game.

A statement from the game's publishers Rockstar North said: "We extend our deepest sympathies to those affected by these tragic events. "Rockstar Games is a leading publisher of interactive entertainment geared towards mature audiences and markets its games responsibly, targeting advertising and marketing only to adult consumers ages 18 and older.

"Rockstar Games submits every game for certification to the BBFC - British Board of Film Certification and clearly marks the game with the BBFC-approved rating." News Source: BBC