Carlo Tritta, a 19-year-old from Bishopstoke, Hampshire, targeted a 14-year-old girl in an obsessive online grooming campaign that began in September 2022 on the popular children's game Roblox. He quickly escalated contact to platforms including WhatsApp, Discord, and Snapchat, where he 'love bombed' the victim with affectionate messages and gifts, as described by investigating officers from Hampshire Constabulary.
The predatory behaviour continued despite the girl's mother discovering the communications in August 2023. Even after being bailed, Tritta persisted in his attempts to harass the victim, reaching out through her friends on social media and sending two Moonpig cards in an effort to persuade her to drop the case. He also reported the girl's mother to child services and sought to have the investigating officer removed, actions that were later detailed at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court.
On 5 September 2023, Tritta travelled over 200 miles from his home to the victim's address in Manchester, unlawfully entering through the back door and convincing the girl to accompany him to a nearby pub to remove him from the property. The following day, the mother spotted him hiding behind a garage while she was putting out bins and promptly called the police, leading to his arrest. Tritta admitted to perverting the course of justice and received a 12-month suspended sentence on 11 December 2023.
Undeterred, just three days later on 14 December 2023, Tritta returned to Manchester, entered the home again, confronted the girl and her mother, and damaged a CCTV camera. He was charged with two counts of intimidating a witness and criminal damage. Further investigation revealed incriminating material on his phone, resulting in additional charges for three serious sexual offences: making indecent images of a child, engaging in sexual communications with a child, and causing a child aged 13-15 to watch or look at a sexual image.
Tritta appeared at Stockport Magistrates' Court on 16 December 2023, where he pleaded guilty to all charges and was remanded in custody. Sentencing occurred at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court on 9 April 2024, where he was handed a 28-month custodial prison sentence. DC Jodi Bartlett of Hampshire Constabulary described Tritta's actions as a 'campaign of fear and abuse', labelling him 'obsessive' and 'predatory' and highlighting how the anonymity of the internet enables such exploitation.
Karina Lyon, representing the Crown Prosecution Service, stated: 'Not only is Tritta a sexual predator, but he has also exhibited deeply troubling behaviour by attending the girl’s address in breach of his bail and a court order, damaging property and trying to interfere with witnesses. I hope today’s outcome sends a clear message that the Crown Prosecution Service is determined to bring those who exploit children to justice.'
The victim's mother, speaking to the Daily Echo after the sentencing, expressed the profound impact: 'I felt like I was having a breakdown. I felt like I was calling the police every day practically, and nothing was happening at the time. It was just constant... It is just a horrible, scary experience. I don't know this person. I don't know what this person is capable of.'