A 19-year-old man from Eastleigh in Hampshire has been sentenced to 28 months in prison for grooming a 14-year-old girl through the popular gaming platform Roblox.
The accused, Carlo Tritta, was 18 when he first contacted the minor on the platform and gradually built her trust, making her believe they were in a relationship.
Grooming moved from online to offline
According to reports, the interaction began on Roblox before shifting to other platforms and eventually moving offline. Tritta allegedly sent gifts and food deliveries to the girl’s home in Manchester, deepening the manipulation.
The abuse continued for nearly a year before the girl’s mother grew suspicious and alerted authorities.
Charges and disturbing behaviour
Tritta pleaded guilty to multiple serious offences, including making indecent images of a child, engaging in sexual communication, and intimidating a witness.
Even after his arrest, he continued to contact the victim by sending greeting cards containing a new phone number, in violation of court orders. He also made false complaints to authorities about the girl’s mother.
Re-arrest and sentencing
Police re-arrested him after he attempted to interfere with the case and returned to the victim’s home despite restrictions. He was later sentenced to 28 months in prison.
Concerns over child safety online
The case has raised serious concerns about child safety on online gaming platforms. Roblox, which allows users as young as five, hosts thousands of user-created games and social interactions.
The platform has since introduced stricter safety measures, including age verification and communication limits for younger users.
A warning for parents
Authorities and experts urge parents to remain vigilant about their children’s online activity and to monitor interactions on gaming and social platforms.
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