Shoe salesman pleads guilty to urging drug-facilitated assaults on sleeping women in global forum

At Wood Green Crown Court, Darren Conway, a 52-year-old shoe salesman from Enfield, entered guilty pleas to eleven charges, ranging from encouraging others to sexually assault sleeping women to voyeurism and extreme porn possession. He admitted messaging a man to sexually touch his wife while she was asleep and repeatedly viewing unconscious women online. The case is part of a broader NCA-led probe that began after the high-profile trial of Gisèle Pelicot in France, where her husband was convicted for orchestrating dozens of rapes of her while she was drugged.

Investigators say the forum members shared graphic videos, drug-use tips and coordinated assaults across multiple continents. Police are working with dozens of countries to identify roughly 300 participants and potential victims, some of whom may reside abroad. Judge John Dodd remanded Conway in custody pending sentencing, and prosecutors indicated further charges could follow as the investigation continues.