Man jailed after grooming girl he met on Roblox
Man jailed after grooming girl he met on Roblox
A 19-year-old man has received a 28-month prison sentence for sexually grooming a 14-year-old girl he encountered on the Roblox gaming platform. Carlo Tritta, from Eastleigh, Hampshire, orchestrated a series of messages to the teenager, urging her to share explicit photos of herself. The case emerged when the girl’s mother discovered a message on her daughter’s phone in August 2025, prompting further investigation.
Online relationship turned into abuse
Tritta and the victim first connected during a game on Roblox 11 months prior. Initially, their conversations revolved around the game, but over time, the messages grew more suggestive. The girl, hailing from Greater Manchester, initially claimed to be 15 years old before revealing her true age in December 2024. During their interactions, Tritta encouraged her to shift communication to private platforms like WhatsApp and Snapchat, where he expressed affection.
“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.
Tritta admitted to creating indecent images of a child, engaging in sexual communications, and compelling the girl to observe a sexual act. He also faced charges of intimidating a witness and causing damage after traveling hundreds of miles to her home twice. The judge remarked that Tritta’s actions had a profound negative impact on the girl and her family.
“Your behaviour has had a significant negative effect on [the girl] and her family,” said Judge Kieran Rankin at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court.
Tritta’s tactics included flattery and gifts, such as takeaway food and a secret phone, to gain trust. Despite being on police bail with conditions prohibiting contact with the girl or visits to her home, he violated these rules. He tampered with the doorbell camera and entered her residence, while also sending her two cards attempting to dissuade her from supporting the prosecution. In one, he falsely accused her mother of having drugs at home.
Victim’s trauma and family impact
The girl described feeling trapped and anxious, stating she “felt trapped and upset” and “was scared of going downstairs at night” fearing Tritta’s presence. Her mother testified that the family had been “constantly on edge” since the incident, with their home no longer feeling safe. The daughter now attends therapy to manage the stress caused by the ordeal.
“His actions, for his own sexual gratification, have caused fear and anxiety for the young victim and her family,” noted Karina Lyon from the Crown Prosecution Service.
Roblox’s response to the case
A Roblox representative expressed concern over the incident, stating the platform was “deeply saddened to hear of this troubling case.” They highlighted the introduction of new age checks in January 2025, designed to restrict interactions to users of similar ages or known individuals. “Our policies firmly prohibit any kind of child exploitation,” the spokesperson added, “and we have extensive safety systems to prevent user-to-user image sharing and limit chat for younger users.”
While acknowledging no system is flawless, Roblox emphasized its ongoing efforts to enhance protections. The case underscores the importance of digital safety measures, particularly on platforms with millions of active users. The girl’s mother’s discovery of the messages marked the beginning of the legal proceedings that led to Tritta’s conviction.
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