MICHAEL SHABLINGER'S HORRIFIC CRIME IN NORFOLK: GROOMING AND SEXUAL OFFENSES AGAINST A 13-YEAR-OLD
A disturbing case has emerged involving Michael Shablinger, a 36-year-old man who traveled from Germany to Norfolk with the sinister intent of engaging in sexual activities with a young girl he had met online.The court proceedings have shed light on the extent of his grooming and predatory behavior, which spanned several months and culminated in a dangerous face-to-face meeting in Hethersett.
According to the evidence presented at Norwich Crown Court, Shablinger had been grooming the 13-year-old victim, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, since May 2023.
The victim was initially contacted through the popular online gaming platform Roblox, where she was approached by Shablinger, who falsely claimed to be 21 years old.
Over time, he built a manipulative relationship with her, convincing her to meet in person despite her young age.
The court heard that on June 16, 2024, at around 11 a.m., the victim told her mother she was going out to walk the dog with a friend.
However, she did not return home as expected.
Her mother, concerned about her daughter’s whereabouts, attempted to contact her multiple times—almost 20 calls over a span of two hours—without success.
When her mother decided to search for her in person, she discovered her in a park in Hethersett with Shablinger.
Shablinger claimed he had
