Darren Conway, a 52-year-old from Enfield, has pleaded guilty to charges related to his involvement in an online forum that shared sexual assault and domestic abuse content. The plea was entered today, and sentencing is scheduled for next month.
Conway admitted to one count of assisting or encouraging an offence—specifically, sharing an intimate photograph or film and sexual assault—along with seven further counts of encouraging sexual assault. He also pleaded guilty to voyeurism and possessing an extreme pornographic image.
Forum discovered by police
The forum was uncovered by police around this time last year. Within the group, Conway shared messages encouraging others to commit drug-facilitated sexual offending. He urged another member to remove a sleeping woman's clothes, attack her, and share pictures with him.
It is also believed that Conway, through the network, watched women sleeping without their knowledge.
Police and CPS respond
Commander Andy Day of the Met Police stated: "Drug facilitated sexual offending can have lasting and devastating impacts on its victims."
"Conway’s actions were shocking. By encouraging others to engage in sexual offending against victims who were unconscious, asleep, or otherwise stupefied, he has put women at a serious risk of harm in their own homes - all for his own sexual gratification."
Commander Day added: "Anyone who has reason to believe that they may have been a victim of sexual offending should report to police. All victims will be supported by specialist officers and safeguarding can be put into place for their protection. We also encourage anyone who has reason to believe somebody they know is involved in this offending to come forward."
Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS London South, Tracy Easton, said: "Darren Conway committed vile acts against women in their own homes, a place where they should have been safe."
"Organised drug-facilitated sexual assault is abhorrent and we are determined to work with policing to bring offenders to justice. I hope this guilty plea gives confidence to anyone who believes they may have been subjected to similar abuse to come forward."
Victim identification ongoing
The Met Police continues to work to identify as many victims as possible. While many of the offences are thought to have occurred in the UK, authorities have not ruled out that some may have happened abroad.
Anyone concerned about drug-facilitated sexual offending or online offending can report information to police by calling 101. Information can also be provided anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
