Man jailed after grooming girl he met on Roblox
Teenage Man Sentenced for Online Grooming of 14-Year-Old
Carlo Tritta, a 19-year-old man from Eastleigh, Hampshire, has been sentenced to 28 months in prison for grooming a 14-year-old girl he met on the virtual gaming platform Roblox. The court heard that Tritta manipulated the teenager, who resides in Greater Manchester, into sending him sexually explicit content and persuading her to share intimate moments. Judge Kieran Rankin emphasized that Tritta’s actions had a profound negative impact on the girl and her family, noting that the victim initially believed she was in a loving relationship, though it was built on coercion and control.
Discovery and Investigation
The abuse was uncovered in August 2025 when the girl’s mother discovered a message on her daughter’s phone. The pair had first connected through a game on Roblox 11 months prior, with the victim initially claiming to be 15 years old before revealing her actual age in December 2024. Tritta, who was 18 at the time of their initial interaction, shifted their communication to private apps like WhatsApp and Snapchat, where he expressed affection to gain her trust.
Offender’s Tactics and Legal Consequences
Tritta admitted to creating indecent images of a child, engaging in sexual chats with a minor, and compelling her to watch a sexual act. He also faced charges of intimidating a witness and damaging property after violating his bail conditions by traveling over 200 miles (322km) twice to the girl’s home. During these visits, he smashed a doorbell camera and entered the residence to confront her. Tritta further sent two letters to the girl, urging her to abandon the prosecution and falsely accusing her mother of having drugs in the house.
“The young girl in this case thought she was in a loving relationship but it was founded in coercion, control and abuse,” stated Det Supt Rod Kenny of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary. “His main goal was to obtain indecent images of her, using flattery and gifts to manipulate her.”
Platform’s Role and Safety Measures
Roblox, a globally renowned platform hosting around 40 million user-created games, acknowledged the case with sadness. A spokesperson noted that the platform introduced updated age verification systems in January to restrict interactions between users and those they don’t know. These checks aim to limit communication with peers of similar age groups. The representative added that Roblox’s policies actively prevent child exploitation and include tools to block image sharing and monitor chats for younger users, collaborating closely with law enforcement.
“His actions, for his own sexual gratification, have caused fear and anxiety for the young victim and her family,” said Karina Lyon from the Crown Prosecution Service. “Tritta is not only a sexual predator but also showed troubling behavior by breaching court orders and damaging property.”
Emotional Toll on the Family
The girl testified in court that she felt trapped and distressed, even fearing to go downstairs at night due to Tritta’s presence. Her mother described the household as “constantly on edge,” stating that their home no longer felt safe. She explained that her daughter now relies on therapy to cope with the stress and anxiety caused by the ordeal. Tritta’s continued attempts to interfere with the case and his disregard for legal restrictions underscore the severity of his actions.
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