Enfield man admits using online forum to encourage sex assaults

Darren Conway, 52, urged another forum user to remove a sleeping woman’s clothing and commit sexual offences against her

An Enfield man who “put women at a serious risk of harm” has admitted to a series of charges of encouraging sexual assault through an online forum.

Darren Conway, aged 52 and of Lonsdale Drive, was charged in June with two counts of assisting or encouraging an offence, namely sharing an intimate photograph or film and sexual assault.

He was later further charged with an additional seven counts of encouraging an offence, namely sexual assault, as well as voyeurism and possessing an extreme pornographic image.

He appeared at Wood Green Crown Court today (Friday 11th) where he pleaded guilty to all counts.

The online forum was uncovered in October 2025, leading to the establishment of a national coordination group, led by the National Crime Agency (NCA).

Intelligence was then passed to individual police forces to conduct investigations. While conducting their investigation, Greater Manchester Police shared further intelligence with the Met.

Officers began urgent enquiries and identified Conway as one of the group chat members. He was arrested on 30th July following the execution of a warrant at his home where digital devices were seized.

Messages found on his devices showed Conway encouraging other group chat members to engage in drug-facilitated sexual offending, alongside images and videos of a sexual nature.

He was found to have urged another member to remove a sleeping woman’s clothing and underwear and to commit sexual offences against her. He later requested that the other member share images while they sexually assaulted her.

Evidence shows that Conway observed sleeping women through the online network more than ten times. The women were unaware that he was viewing them and unable to provide consent.

Commander Andy Day, of the Met Police, said: “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.

“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.”

Tracy Easton, chief crown prosecutor for CPS London South, added: “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.”

Conway will be sentenced at the same court on Friday, 30th October.

Officers continue to work to identify as many of the victims in the footage on Conway’s devices as they can. While much of the offending is believed to have taken place in the UK, it is also possible that some victims are based overseas.

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.

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