The mother of a teenage girl who was targeted by a sexual predator on the popular online gaming platform Roblox is urging parents to closely monitor their children’s phone activities. Carlo Tritta, a 19-year-old from Bishopstoke, Eastleigh, Hampshire, has been sentenced to 28 months in prison for various offenses, including creating indecent images of a child and engaging in sexual conversations with a minor.
Tritta first made contact with the girl from Manchester on Roblox when she was 14 years old in September 2024. Their conversations later moved to other messaging apps like Snapchat, Discord, and WhatsApp. The conversations quickly turned highly sexual, with Tritta exchanging intimate images and videos with the victim.
The situation came to light when the victim’s mother discovered the messages and images last August. Tritta was arrested but then breached his bail conditions by trying to persuade the girl to drop the case, even going to her home uninvited. He was later convicted of perverting the course of justice and sentenced to a suspended custodial term.
However, Tritta’s actions continued, leading to his eventual guilty plea for offenses including creating indecent images, engaging in sexual communication with a minor, and causing a child to witness a sexual act. He also admitted to witness intimidation and criminal damage.
In court, Tritta’s defense attorney argued that his client’s actions were influenced by his neurodiverse condition, citing Asperger syndrome and mixed anxiety and depressive disorder. Despite this, the court deemed Tritta’s behavior over an extended period as warranting immediate imprisonment.
The victim’s mother shared the emotional toll the ordeal had taken on her daughter and their family, emphasizing the need for stricter controls on apps aimed at children and urging parents to monitor their children’s online activities closely.
Detective Constable Jodi Bartlett, who led the investigation, highlighted the dangers of online predators like Tritta and encouraged parents to have open conversations with their children about internet safety. The Crown Prosecution Service expressed determination to bring exploiters of children like Tritta to justice, emphasizing the severity of his actions.
