UK Crime
Sleeping women targeted in online abuse network; London man admits encouraging sexual offences
A 52-year-old man from North London has pleaded guilty to offences linked to an online forum where videos depicting sexual offending and domestic abuse were shared among offenders across the UK.
According to a statement issued by London’s Metropolitan Police, the man has been identified as Darren Conway.
Conway was initially charged on Friday, June 26, with two counts of assisting or encouraging an offence, namely the sharing of an intimate photograph or film and sexual assault.
He was later charged with a further seven counts of encouraging offences, including sexual assault, as well as voyeurism and possession of an extreme pornographic image.
Conway appeared at Wood Green Crown Court on Friday, September 11, where he pleaded guilty to all charges.
The online forum was uncovered in October 2025, prompting the establishment of a national coordination group led by the National Crime Agency (NCA).
Intelligence gathered through the investigation was subsequently shared with individual police forces for further enquiries. During its investigation, Greater Manchester Police passed additional intelligence to the Metropolitan Police.
Met officers launched urgent enquiries and identified Conway as a member of the group chat. He was arrested on Thursday, July 30, after officers executed a warrant at his home and seized several digital devices.
Messages recovered from the devices showed Conway encouraging other group members to engage in drug-facilitated sexual offending, alongside the sharing of sexually explicit images and videos.
Police found that Conway had encouraged another member to remove the clothing and underwear of a sleeping woman and commit sexual offences against her. He later asked the individual to share images of the assault.
Evidence also showed that Conway had viewed sleeping women through the online network on more than 10 occasions. The women were unaware that they were being watched and were unable to provide consent.
Met Police Commander Andy Day said drug-facilitated sexual offending could have "lasting and devastating impacts" on 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 serious risk of harm in their own homes — all for his own sexual gratification," Day said
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