**
A young man from Hampshire has been sentenced to 28 months in prison for grooming a 14-year-old girl through the popular online gaming platform Roblox. Carlo Tritta, 19, engaged in sexual communications and made indecent images of the victim, prompting her mother to speak out about the dangers of online interactions and the need for parental vigilance concerning children’s digital activities.
Grooming Through Gaming
Tritta, hailing from Bishopstoke, Eastleigh, established contact with the girl from Manchester in September 2024. Their interactions quickly escalated from the gaming platform to other messaging services, including Snapchat, Discord, and WhatsApp. During these exchanges, Tritta engaged in highly sexualised conversations, sharing intimate images and videos with the victim.
The situation came to light in August 2025 when the girl’s mother discovered the explicit content on her daughter’s phone. This alarming discovery led to Tritta’s arrest, but not before he attempted to interfere with the investigation by travelling to the victim’s home, where he confronted her directly and breached his bail conditions.
A Pattern of Escalating Behaviour
In a harrowing account presented in Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court, prosecutor Rachel Yarwood detailed Tritta’s unsettling behaviour. He not only sent letters and attempted to contact the girl by phone but also made efforts to intimidate witnesses. Just days after receiving a suspended sentence for related offences, he returned to confront the victim again, damaging property in the process.
The court heard that Tritta had pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including making indecent images—25 of which fell into the most severe Category A—and causing a child to witness a sexual act. In total, these crimes were committed between January and August 2025, culminating in a comprehensive evaluation of his risk to children.
In a chilling victim impact statement, the young girl expressed feeling “trapped and upset,” revealing that she was too frightened to go downstairs alone at night, fearing Tritta might be waiting for her.
Parent’s Plea for Vigilance
The victim’s mother, who cannot be named for legal reasons, conveyed the profound impact of Tritta’s predatory behaviour on their family life. She described a pervasive sense of fear in their home, stating, “We are constantly on edge; this no longer feels like a safe space.”
Her comments highlight the urgent need for parents to monitor their children’s online activities, especially on platforms marketed toward younger users. “To me, Roblox seemed like a child’s game,” she said. “I had no idea that older individuals were using it to groom children.”
She urged other parents to engage with their children about their online interactions, expressing concern about the naivety that can accompany trusting a seemingly innocent gaming environment.
The Court’s Response and the Broader Implications
Defence attorney Edward Steele attempted to argue for leniency, attributing Tritta’s fixation on his victim to a neurodiverse condition. However, Recorder Ciaran Rankin dismissed these claims, illustrating the seriousness of Tritta’s actions and the need for an immediate custodial sentence. The court acknowledged a pre-sentence report that labelled Tritta as a high risk to children, particularly given his attempts to intimidate witnesses shortly after being issued a court order.
Following the sentencing, Hampshire Police emphasised the chilling reality of online predation. Detective Constable Jodi Bartlett remarked on the ease with which criminals exploit the anonymity of the internet, targeting vulnerable individuals. “Do you truly know who you, or your child, is speaking to online?” she asked, encapsulating the paramount importance of parental awareness in safeguarding children against such threats.
Why it Matters
The case underscores the urgent need for heightened awareness regarding the online safety of minors. As gaming platforms continue to attract younger audiences, the potential for exploitation increases. Parents must remain vigilant, fostering open dialogues with their children about their online experiences. This incident serves as a stark reminder that the digital world can harbour dangers that are often overlooked, necessitating a proactive approach to protecting children from predatory behaviour.
