Man jailed after grooming girl he met on Roblox

Man Jailed for Grooming Girl Met on Roblox

A 19-year-old man has received a 28-month prison sentence for exploiting a 14-year-old girl he connected with on the Roblox gaming platform. Carlo Tritta, from Eastleigh, Hampshire, engaged in repeated exchanges with the teenager, urging her to share explicit photographs of herself. Det Supt Rod Kenny of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary described how the victim, hailing from Greater Manchester, “believed she was in a loving relationship, yet it was built on coercion, control, and abuse.”

Tritta admitted to creating indecent images of a child, engaging in sexual communication with a minor, and compelling a child aged 13 to 15 to observe a sexual act. Additionally, he faced two charges of intimidating a witness and causing damage after visiting the girl’s home twice, traveling over 200 miles (322km) from Hampshire to confront her. At the Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court, Judge Kieran Rankin stated: “It was evident to you early on that the girl was under 16. Your conduct has significantly impacted the girl and her family.”

Discovery and Background

The abuse came to light in August 2025 when the girl’s mother found a message on her daughter’s phone. Tritta and the victim had met 11 months prior while playing a game on Roblox. The platform, one of the largest gaming environments globally, features around 40 million user-created games and experiences. Initially, the girl told Tritta she was 15, but later confirmed her age as 14 in December 2024.

Tritta, who was 18 when their online interaction began, shifted their communication to messaging apps like WhatsApp and Snapchat, professing his affection for her. He also sent her takeaway meals and a private phone. While early conversations revolved around the game, the messages grew increasingly concerning over time. Det Supt Kenny noted: “The girl perceived a romantic bond, but it was rooted in manipulation and exploitation. The offender’s primary goal was to collect indecent images of her, employing flattery and gifts to achieve this.”

Roblox’s Response and Legal Actions

Following Tritta’s arrest, he was released on police bail with strict conditions prohibiting contact with the girl or visits to her residence. However, he disregarded these rules, breaking the doorbell camera and entering her home. Tritta also sent two letters to the girl, requesting her to withdraw support from the prosecution, and reported her family to social services, falsely claiming her mother had drugs at home.

In a court statement, the girl revealed she “felt trapped and upset,” and “was scared to go downstairs at night” due to her belief that Tritta would be there. Her mother described the family as “constantly on edge,” stating their home “no longer feels like a safe space.” She added that her daughter now experiences fear and anxiety, requiring therapy to cope with the stress. Karina Lyon of the Crown Prosecution Service emphasized Tritta’s predatory nature, explaining: “His actions, driven by personal sexual gratification, caused distress and fear for the victim and her family. Tritta not only targeted the girl but also violated court orders, damaged property, and attempted to influence witnesses.”

A Roblox spokesperson expressed sorrow over the case, stating the platform had introduced new age verification measures in January. These were “intended to restrict interactions to users of comparable ages and those already known to them.” They also highlighted their policies against child exploitation and safety mechanisms to prevent image sharing and limit chats for younger users, working alongside law enforcement in investigations. “While no system is flawless, we are continuously improving protections,” they noted.