Roblox predator who raped 10-year-old girl is jailed for six years

A 10-year-old girl was raped in woodland by a paedophile who groomed her over Roblox and Snapchat in a ‘nightmare’ case that will increase already deafening calls for the Government to better protect children online. Ryan Sutton travelled 100 miles from Worcester to Finedon in Northamptonshire to violently abuse the primary school child he was secretly messaging. The year six primary school pupil was lured to a wood and raped by the 24-year-old, who later blamed his victim for the rape and has never said sorry for his crimes.

The victim’s mother believed that Sutton had met her daughter on Roblox and then moved to Snapchat, according to a pre-sentence report. Sutton was today branded one of the country’s worst sex offenders by the police officer who helped put him behind bars for a crime that has damaged the life of a vulnerable child and will terrify millions of mothers and fathers. Prosecutor Henry James said: slot inovatif ‘This is a case set to feed the nightmares of any parent of a child that owns a mobile phone.’  The violent paedophile was jailed for six years at at Northampton Crown Court, with a further year to be served on extended licence.

Sutton was also made subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and will remain on the sex offenders’ register for life.  Detective Constable James Wright also praised the 10-year-old girl for showing ‘bravery beyond her years’ after telling officers what her abuser had done to her and how she was groomed. Northampton Crown Court heard how he chatted with his victim on Roblox, a gaming platform used by 80million children around the world each day. One in five users are under nine but it has no set age restrictions.

Campaigners have previously branded Roblox a ‘X-rated paedophile hellscape’, increasing pressure on the UK government to ensure the Online Safety Act imposes strict enough rules on online platforms to protect children including when it comes to age verification. Roblox is the most popular gaming platform for eight to 12-year-olds in the UK – and until just before Christmas under 13s could message each other privately. The platform has brought in a raft of new safety features.

Marcus Johnstone of PCD Solicitors, who specialises in sexual offence cases, told MailOnline: ‘I see many cases of child abuse which have been enabled by the internet.  ‘Frequently these days it is fuelled by or facilitated by the growing influence of technology in our modern world, whether that is grooming on Roblox or on other apps and online meeting places. Ryan Sutton travelled 100 miles from Worcester to Finedon in Northamptonshire to rape a 10-year-old girl he raped in woodland.  Roblox has long raised concerns for parents and child safety campaigners due to its chat features. The victim’s mother believed that Sutton had met her daughter on Roblox and then moved to Snapchat, according to a pre-sentence report ‘The Government often talks of keeping our streets safe, but it is increasingly online platforms that need to be policed and of focus for law enforcement if we want to stamp out and limit predatory sexual behaviour’.