Isle of Dogs man groomed 13-year-old boy through gay dating app then abused him is sent to prison

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A man has been jailed for four years and eight months today for child sex offences after meeting his victim via an online dating app.

Federico Traversa, 31 (12.07.85) of Galleons View, Isle of Dogs, E14 had previously pleaded guilty at Snaresbrook Crown Court to sexual activity with a child, causing a child to watch a sexual act, taking indecent photographs of a child, possession of indecent images of a child and possession of indecent moving images of a child.

He was sentenced on Thursday, 11 August.

Traversa’s victim was a 13-year-old boy. The pair met through a gay dating app and agreed to meet at Traversa’s home on Tuesday, 2 March.

Upon arrival, the victim told Traversa he was 14. They went into the bedroom where Traversa showed the boy videos of young children performing sex acts.

They went on to engage in sexual activity before the boy pretended to receive a phone call from his mother and left. Traversa filmed them without the knowledge of the victim.

Traversa and the boy continued to speak via social media. The defendant then sent the victim indecent images of young children plus the video he had made of them.

On Monday, 11 April, the victim lent his mobile to his sister and the video was discovered.

Police were then called and Traversa was arrested on Friday, 15 April. He told officers the acts had been consensual and the victim had said he was 16.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Jonny Newell, from the Met’s Sexual Offences, Exploitation and Child Abuse Command, said: “Traversa claimed the victim was above the age of consent but the boy told him he was 14; that didn’t stop Traversa from engaging in sexual activity.

“The evidence later recovered demonstrated Traversa’s sexual interest in children and I am pleased he has brought before the courts.”

Source: Met Police