There seem to be a lot of Pokémon TCG-related crimes lately. From robberies to government fraud, it seems like people are willing to do whatever it takes to get their hands on these sought-after trading cards. But this Pokémon-related crime will leave you stunned, since these pieces of cardboard were not the item sought after, but a murder weapon.
A 31-year-old British man was arrested by police after it was reported that he bashed his neighbor to death using a bag of Pokémon cards and a piece of wood. According to iTV, the suspect had a dispute with the victim, who accused him of being a pedophile. This led to the suspect bringing out a makeshift weapon, built using a bag filled with boxes of Pokémon cards, which he then used to beat the 50-year-old victim to death.
This attack took place back in August 2022 at the neighbor’s flat and it was confirmed that the the victim suffered catastrophic injuries and died at the scene. Neighbors who witnessed the attack reported that they heard the attacker yell at the victim, and told him to “fight like a man.”
“Neighbours who witnessed the attack outside Mr Wilkinson’s Sheffield flat heard a loud crash and then heard Hague shouting: “You called me a f****** nonce. Come out here and fight like a man.”
The suspect told police that he “felt bad” after the attack. It was also revealed during the court hearing that the suspect had a history of mental illness, violence, and drug use. The suspect pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 17 years.
During the court hearing, Judge Sarah Wright recommended that the suspect be readmitted to a secure hospital so he could continue to receive treatment. An argument was made to the court that the suspect couldn’t use “mental illness” as a defense for his crimes since his condition wasn’t “severe enough.”