Married shoe salesman, 52, becomes the first Briton convicted in global rape network linked to Gisèle Pelicot case

A married shoe salesman has become the first Briton convicted in a global rape network linked to France's horrifying Pelicot case.

Darren Conway, 52, encouraged men to sexually assault their wives on an internet forum while the victims were unconscious, asleep or had been stupefied by drugs.

The case began after the worldwide revulsion at the abuse of 73-year-old Gisele Pelicot by her husband and 50 other men.

Following her plight, investigative journalists uncovered an international network of similar predators sharing the abuse of drugged women, spurring law enforcement into action. The UK's National Crime Agency (NCA) discovered Conway was one of eight Britons using a chatroom to 'engage in drug-facilitated sexual offending'.

The married father-of-two issued instructions telling a husband to take off his sleeping wife's clothes.

On other occasions, he ordered the husband to touch his wife intimately while she was asleep.

Now it can be revealed how the footwear and clothing supplier spent three years secretly watching sleeping naked women, seeking videos on at least ten occasions from others using the forum.

Conway lived with his family at a semi-detached house in Enfield, north London and outwardly appeared to live a normal life. 

Darren Conway, of Enfield, north London, is one of eight men arrested in the UK as part of an international investigation

One neighbour, who asked not to be named, said: 'Darren is not the person you would expect to be involved in something like this. 

He is quiet, unassuming and spends his time with his family. He says hello to a few people on the street and has always been friendly.'

But yesterday at Wood Green Crown Court he became the first Briton to be convicted in the global investigation into the drug rape network of nearly 270 offenders.

He admitted eleven charges, including nine of encouraging others to sexually assault women on an internet forum while they were unconscious, asleep or stupefied between 2023 and 2026.

Conway showed no emotion as he also pleaded guilty to voyeurism and possession of extreme pornography.

After serial rapist Dominique Pelicot was jailed for 20 years in France in 2024, German journalists started investigating the sickening phenomenon and uncovered a global network of predators.

They tipped off the NCA, which discovered images and videos of sedated women being sexually assaulted and raped, sometimes by multiple offenders, being shared by a group of offenders from Britain, France, Germany, Brazil, Spain, the Netherlands and the US.

Members of the group shared images and videos of sedated women being sexually assaulted and raped, 'sometimes by multiple offenders', the court heard.

They also exchanged 'tips' and advised the best type of sedatives to use.

Messages found on Conway's devices showed him encouraging other group chat members to engage in drug-facilitated sexual crimes, alongside sexual images and videos.

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

Alexander Agbamu, prosecuting, said: 'The indictment reflects the defendant's involvement in an online forum which connects others who are involved in organised sexual offending and domestic abuse.'

He added: 'The extent of the offending goes back some years and involves scores of other offenders, and evidence has come in since proceedings began.'

Mr Agbamu said that there may be further charges laid against Conway as the investigation continues.

The prosecutor explained this case follows from a similar one in Manchester.

He said: 'The case had generated many other inquiries across the country, and this is one of them. This is one of the early ones.'

Judge John Dodd said: 'Mr Conway has pleaded guilty to some unusual serious sexual offences.

NCA officers, who worked with dozens of countries, mounted the investigation in the wake of the case of Gisèle Pelicot, 72

Darren Conway answered 'guilty' to all of the charges at Wood Green Crown Court (file image)

'These remain extremely serious offences. I've got to have assistance on a number of issues including dangerousness.

Tracy Easton, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS London South said: 'Darren Conway committed vile acts against women in their own homes, a place where they should have been safe.' 

The NCA earlier announced it had uncovered a 'truly international network' with members 'identified in dozens of countries spanning every continent'.

Police said today that they were continuing to work to identify as many of the victims in the footage on Conway's devices as they can.

Metropolitan Police Commander Andy Day 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.'

Much of Conway's offending is believed to have taken place in the UK, but police believe it is also possible that some victims are based abroad.