Man jailed after grooming girl he met on Roblox
Man Jailed for Grooming Girl Met on Roblox
A 19-year-old man, Carlo Tritta, has received a 28-month prison sentence for grooming a 14-year-old girl he met on the gaming platform Roblox. The incident unfolded over an 11-month period, during which Tritta, based in Eastleigh, Hampshire, repeatedly messaged the teenager and persuaded her to share explicit photographs. The victim, from Greater Manchester, initially claimed to be 15 years old before confirming her age as 14 in December 2024.
Coercion and Control
Det Supt Rod Kenny of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary described the relationship as one built on manipulation, stating that the girl “believed she was in a loving relationship, but it was rooted in coercion, control, and abuse.” Tritta admitted to producing indecent images of a child, engaging in sexual communication, and causing a child aged 13–15 to observe a sexual act. He also confessed to intimidating witnesses and damaging property after traveling over 200 miles to her home twice to pressure her into dropping the case.
“The offender’s primary goal was to obtain indecent images of her as a child. He used flattery, gifts, and rewards to achieve this,” said Det Supt Kenny.
The abuse was discovered in August 2025 when the girl’s mother found a message on her daughter’s phone. Tritta had initially connected with the girl through a Roblox game, later shifting their conversations to messaging apps like WhatsApp and Snapchat. During this time, he sent takeaway food and a private phone to her residence, escalating the interaction from casual gaming to intimate exchanges.
Roblox’s Response
Roblox, a global gaming platform hosting 40 million user-generated games, expressed sadness over the case. A spokesperson noted the platform introduced new age verification systems in January to restrict communication between users of different ages. They emphasized that policies are in place to prevent child exploitation, including measures to limit chat for younger users and monitor image sharing.
“While no system is flawless, we continue to enhance our safeguards daily,” the spokesperson added.
In court, the victim recounted feeling “trapped and upset,” stating she was “afraid to go downstairs at night” due to Tritta’s presence. Her mother described the family’s home life as “constantly tense,” no longer feeling like a secure environment. The girl now seeks therapy to cope with the trauma and fear she experienced.
Criminal Behavior
Karina Lyon of the Crown Prosecution Service highlighted Tritta’s predatory actions, noting he “exploited the young teenager for sexual pleasure.” The case also revealed Tritta’s attempts to interfere with the prosecution by sending cards to the victim and falsely accusing her mother of drug use. Despite police bail conditions, he ignored restrictions and breached the family’s privacy by damaging the doorbell camera and entering their home.
Tritta admitted awareness of his actions’ legality once under investigation, but his behavior had already caused significant distress. The court described his conduct as having “a major negative impact” on the girl and her family. Listen to BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Share story ideas via WhatsApp at 0808 100 2230.
