Man jailed after grooming girl he met on Roblox
Man Jailed for Grooming Teen Girl Met on Roblox
A 19-year-old man was sentenced to 28 months in prison after sexually grooming a 14-year-old girl he met on the Roblox gaming platform. Carlo Tritta, who resides in Eastleigh, Hampshire, admitted to creating indecent images of a child, engaging in sexual conversations with a minor, and compelling a 13- to 15-year-old to observe a sexual act. His actions also included intimidating a witness and causing property damage, which he did by traveling over 200 miles (322km) to confront the girl at her home twice.
Victim’s Experience
The girl, from Greater Manchester, initially told Tritta she was 15 years old before confessing her actual age of 14 in December 2024. Over the course of 11 months, their online interaction began with a game on Roblox and gradually shifted to more intimate exchanges. Tritta encouraged her to move conversations to WhatsApp and Snapchat, where he expressed affection, and even sent food and a private phone to her residence.
“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 from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary. “His main driver was to obtain indecent images of her as a child. He used flattery, gifts, and rewards to achieve that.”
Tritta’s abuse was uncovered when the girl’s mother found a message on her daughter’s phone in August 2025. After being released on police bail with conditions to avoid contacting the girl or visiting her home, he disregarded the rules. He tampered with a doorbell camera, entered her residence, and attempted to influence her testimony. Additionally, he sent two letters to her, urging her not to support the prosecution and falsely accusing her family of having drugs at home.
Impact on Family
During the trial at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court, Judge Kieran Rankin noted Tritta’s awareness of the girl’s age and emphasized the harmful effects of his behavior. “Your actions had a significant negative impact on [the girl] and her family,” the judge remarked. The victim described feeling “trapped and upset,” with fears of being alone at night due to Tritta’s presence. Her mother added that the household was “constantly on edge” and no longer felt safe.
“The victim now lives with fear and anxiety and attends therapy to cope with the stress,” said the girl’s mother. Karina Lyon of the Crown Prosecution Service highlighted Tritta’s predatory nature, stating, “His actions for personal sexual gratification caused fear and anxiety for the young victim and her family. He not only engaged in sexual exploitation but also breached court orders, damaged property, and sought to interfere with witnesses.”
Roblox’s Response
A Roblox representative expressed sorrow over the case, noting the platform’s recent introduction of age checks in January. These measures were designed to restrict communication to users of similar ages or those already known to the child. The spokesperson added, “Our policies strictly prohibit child exploitation, and we have robust safety systems to prevent user-to-user image sharing and limit chat for younger users. Teams work closely with law enforcement to aid in investigations.”
While acknowledging no system is foolproof, the platform emphasized its ongoing efforts to enhance protections. The case underscores the importance of vigilance in digital spaces where young users interact. For more local news, follow BBC Manchester on social media or listen to BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds.
