Police believe that exposure to a violent videogame was a factor in a 13-year-old boy’s decision to cut his friend’s throat.

The attack took place in Clydebank, Scotland, after the pair had a falling out while playing Gears of War 3 online and traded insults over their headsets.

The accused later slit the 14-year-old victim’s throat with a knife, causing a wound that exposed his windpipe. It required 20 staples to close.

The accused allegedly said, “Don’t die,” before calmly walking off.

According to prosecutor Andrew Brown, QC, “The reporting officer was of the opinion that the violent videogames played online by the accused may have been a factor in his conduct.”

Scottish Police Federation chairman Brian Docherty acknowledged that the game was rated R18, and that it “shouldn’t be played by children of this young age – but online gaming may be outside their parents’ knowledge.”

“We need to look again at what we can do to stop this,” he added.

The attacker, who is already a parent at age 13, is facing prison.

A spokesman for Gears publisher Microsoft said, “We have some of the most robust parental control systems to empower parents to decide how their children play and communicate. We have the greatest sympathy for the victim and his family.”

In related news, an Iowa jury has heard that a 14-year-old Iowa boy killed his mother because she stopped him playing a Call of Duty title.

According to a court report in the Globe Gazette, the boy told emergency operators that he shot his mother 20 times then attempted to rape her after she took away his controller.

“I don’t know why I did it,” he said during the call.

“I feel crazy and I know I’m not. I think I have some form of ADD.

“Something just came over me.”

The boy shot her with a .22 rifle he was given as an 11-year-old.

He is facing charges of first-degree murder and assault with intent to commit sexual abuse.