A British man convicted of murder expressed concern over missing the release of the highly anticipated video game Grand Theft Auto 6 while being arrested, according to reports from February 9, 2026.
Robert Richens, 35, was found guilty of the murder of his former partner, Rachael Vaughan. The incident occurred in 2025, with Richens initially claiming the death was accidental before an investigation revealed a sustained attack. He was sentenced to life in prison on February 6, with a minimum term of 16 years.
The unusual comment made by Richens during his arrest – lamenting the potential conflict with the release of GTA 6 – was reported by 4gamers.be. One of the arresting officers reportedly attempted to respond to the remark.
The timing of the sentencing means Richens will likely be unable to play the game upon its release. While prisons do allow gaming consoles, they are typically older models without internet connectivity, making them incompatible with modern titles like GTA 6. This incident highlights the cultural impact of video games, even in serious legal situations.
Rockstar Games, the developer of the Grand Theft Auto series, recently removed online missions created by fans that depicted the murder of American activist Charlie Kirk, demonstrating the company’s ongoing efforts to moderate user-generated content within the game.
