Relentless Groomer Snared in Police Sting
A vile sex offender who groomed children on Snapchat and paid them for indecent images has finally been locked up. Ian Della-Rocca, 39, was caught in November 2024 after trying to sexually chat with who he thought was a 14-year-old girl — but it was an undercover cop waiting in the wings.
Shocking Cache of Horrific Images Found
Once arrested, police uncovered a disturbing trail. Della-Rocca had been talking to real children on Snapchat since January 2023. The pervert targeted at least three teenage girls across the UK, paying for vile pictures and videos. Almost 1,200 indecent images were found on his phone.
In one chilling incident, he even met a 15-year-old girl in person, taking her to school. At the time, Della-Rocca lived in North Baddesley.
Jail Time and Lifetime Sex Offender Status
At Southampton Crown Court, the predator admitted to a laundry list of offences:
- Three counts of possessing indecent images of children
- Attempting sexual communication with a child
- Possession and distribution of prohibited images
- Paying children aged 13 to 15 for sexual images (three counts)
- Attempting to meet a child under 16 after grooming
- Multiple counts of causing and inciting children to engage in sexual activity
He was slung inside for six years and eight months. Plus, he’s on the Sex Offenders Register for life and slapped with a 15-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
Police Praise Victims’ Courage
“The relentlessness of Della-Rocca’s offending is really shocking. He persistently targeted young girls online, going as far as to pay them to provide him with indecent images,” said PC Ollie Green from the Internet Child Abuse Team (ICAT). “Della-Rocca groomed and exploited these children for his own perverse gratification, and it is clear he poses a serious risk to children.
“The girls have been incredibly brave in speaking to police about Della-Rocca’s behaviour, and it is because of them that we were able to secure so many criminal charges against him.
“I also want to extend my thanks to policing colleagues across the UK for their efforts in helping bring this man to justice.”
