Sony may consider the launch of its high-end PlayStation 3 console as a smashing success, but some of the first buyers would say otherwise. Several accounts of young owners told stories of blatant muggings minutes after the purchase.

Among the first of such incidents was that of 18-year-old thief Peyton Strickland who was shot by North Carolina police in the US launch of the console. Strickland mugged a student of two of the machines and scurried away only to pay a high price for the felony at the hands of the law.

The UK launch of the PAL PS3 was no different. In Walthamstow, 21-year old Angel Sanchez lined up for nearly two days to get his PS3. After leaving the shop, he and his mother were attacked by several young men. Sony and Game, the local retailer, has so far offered no assistance in recovering the system or paying for medical bills.

A similar incident happened to another fellow whose attackers had an escape car as a getaway vehicle. "We have expressed concerns before about midnight shopping. If you are walking along in the early hours carrying a plastic bag with a computer shop emblazoned on it, it's an advert to say 'come and rob me'," said a spokesman for the local law enforcement unit.

Shoppers are advised to avoid buying expensive consoles in the small hours to avoid these mishaps. We hope to hear less of such incidents in future events.