Haringey Man Matthew Slate Charged Over Dark Web Child Abuse Sites

Key Points

• Matthew Slate, 36, from Haringey in north London, appeared at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court charged with running dark web forums for sharing child sexual abuse images and videos.
• Slate allegedly served as a “global moderator” under the username Loudechoes on a site called Olympus, with activities spanning more than 18 months.
• He faces additional accusations related to another child abuse site between 20 July 2023 and 15 June 2024.
• Prosecutors allege Slate paid cryptocurrency Monero in August 2024 to host a third forum, SoulCloud 2, on the dark web.
• Specific charges include three counts of arranging or facilitating the sexual exploitation of a child under 13 years of age, two counts of participating in the criminal activities of an organised crime group, six counts of distributing an indecent photograph or pseudo-photograph of a child, three counts of making indecent photographs or pseudo-photographs of a child, and one count of possessing a prohibited image of a child.
• Slate allegedly facilitated the sharing of over 2,000 images and videos of child sexual abuse material between July 2023 and February 2025, and amassed around 57,000 illegal images, including more than 10,000 in the most serious category.
• The case has been sent to Wood Green Crown Court for a plea hearing on 19 February.
• Slate was released on bail with nine strict conditions, including compliance with National Crime Agency (NCA) requests for access to his electronic devices.
• Bail conditions prohibit use of encryption or data wiping software, messaging apps such as Snapchat, WhatsApp, and Signal, accessing the dark web, or deleting browsing history.
• He must reside overnight at his north London home or an alternative address in Epping and is banned from unsupervised contact with children.
• Slate is described as part of a global organised group involved in these activities.

Haringey (North London News) January 23, 2026 – A man from Haringey has appeared in court accused of running dark web forums dedicated to sharing images and videos of child sexual abuse, as part of a global organised group. Matthew Slate, 36, faces multiple serious charges related to the facilitation and distribution of indecent material over an 18-month period. The case, heard at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court, highlights ongoing efforts by authorities to dismantle hidden online networks preying on vulnerable children.

What Charges Does Matthew Slate Face?

Matthew Slate stands accused on a total of 15 counts stemming from his alleged involvement in dark web child abuse activities. These include three counts of arranging or facilitating the sexual exploitation of a child under 13 years of age, two counts of participating in the criminal activities of an organised crime group, six counts of distributing an indecent photograph or pseudo-photograph of a child, three counts of making indecent photographs or pseudo-photographs of a child, and one count of possessing a prohibited image of a child.

The court heard details of the scale of the alleged offending, with prosecutors outlining Slate’s role in facilitating the sharing of more than 2,000 images and videos of child sexual abuse material between July 2023 and February 2025. Furthermore, authorities claim he amassed approximately 57,000 illegal images of children, with over 10,000 falling into the most serious category of abuse.

The charges reflect a comprehensive investigation into Slate’s digital footprint across multiple platforms. No direct journalist attribution is available from the initial court reporting, but the details emerged during the hearing at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court, where the full extent of the allegations was laid out by prosecutors.

Which Dark Web Sites Was Slate Involved With?

Court proceedings revealed Slate’s alleged connections to specific dark web forums. He is accused of working as a “global moderator” under the username Loudechoes on a site named Olympus, with his illegal activities reportedly spanning more than 18 months. Additionally, Slate faces accusations related to another unnamed child abuse site active between 20 July 2023 and 15 June 2024.

Prosecutors further allege that in August 2024, he paid with the cryptocurrency Monero to host a third forum called SoulCloud 2 on the dark web.

These platforms were described as hubs for a global organised group sharing extreme abuse material. The involvement of cryptocurrency like Monero underscores the use of privacy-focused tools to evade detection, a common tactic in such networks. The court’s summary painted a picture of coordinated international operations, with Slate positioned as a key figure in moderation and hosting.

What Happened at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court?

The hearing at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court marked Slate’s first public appearance on these charges. Prosecutors presented evidence of his username Loudechoes and moderator status on Olympus, alongside the timelines of his alleged activities.

The bench decided to send the case to Wood Green Crown Court, where a plea hearing is scheduled for 19 February. No plea was entered at this stage, and the prosecution’s case focused on the breadth of material handled—over 2,000 shared items and a personal collection of 57,000 images.

District Judge (Magistrates’ Court) details were not specified in reports, but the decision to commit to Crown Court reflects the gravity of the charges, which exceed magistrates’ sentencing powers. Slate, appearing from Haringey, listened as the allegations were read out, encompassing distribution, production, and facilitation across multiple counts.

Why Was Slate Released on Bail?

Despite the severity of the charges, Matthew Slate was granted bail under stringent conditions. He must comply with National Crime Agency (NCA) requests to access his electronic devices, a measure to prevent tampering with evidence. Nine conditions in total were imposed, designed to mitigate risks to children and preserve the investigation’s integrity.

The restrictions are comprehensive: Slate is banned from using encryption or data wiping software, messaging apps including Snapchat, WhatsApp, and Signal, accessing the dark web, or deleting his browsing history.

Residence is limited to overnight stays at his north London home or an alternative address in Epping. Critically, he is prohibited from any unsupervised contact with children, addressing public safety concerns.

This decision aligns with UK bail practices for serious cases where flight risk or immediate danger is not deemed imminent, balanced against the need for a fair trial. The NCA’s involvement signals high-level scrutiny, likely involving forensic analysis of seized devices.

How Extensive Was the Alleged Abuse Material?

The court heard stark figures on the volume of material: Slate allegedly facilitated sharing of more than 2,000 images and videos depicting child sexual abuse from July 2023 to February 2025. His personal hoard reportedly totalled around 57,000 illegal images, with more than 10,000 classified in the most serious category—A, involving penetrative abuse or sadism.

These categories follow standard UK sentencing guidelines for indecent images, where Category A carries the heaviest penalties. The global nature of the group amplified the harm, as content circulated far beyond north London. Prosecutors emphasised the 18-month span on Olympus alone, plus overlaps with other sites.

What Role Did the Global Organised Group Play?

Slate is accused of being part of a global organised group, acting as “global moderator” on Olympus. This role likely involved overseeing content uploads, user disputes, and site maintenance, enabling widespread distribution. The group’s use of dark web infrastructure and Monero payments for SoulCloud 2 hosting demonstrates sophisticated evasion tactics.

Such networks thrive on anonymity, with moderators like Loudechoes ensuring continuity. The two counts of participating in an organised crime group underscore coordinated efforts, potentially involving members worldwide. Law enforcement’s disruption of Olympus and related sites reflects international cooperation, though specific agencies beyond the NCA were not named.

When Is the Next Court Hearing?

The case progresses to Wood Green Crown Court for a plea and trial preparation hearing on 19 February. This venue handles indictable offences like those faced by Slate, allowing for jury trials if pleas of not guilty are entered. Delays between now and then permit further evidence gathering, including device forensics.

Plea hearings determine the trial timeline, which could extend months given the digital evidence volume. Wood Green Crown Court, serving north London, is familiar with complex cybercrime cases.

What Do the Bail Conditions Mean in Practice?

Slate’s nine bail conditions form a tight regime. Device access for the NCA ensures ongoing monitoring, while bans on encryption tools like VPNs or Tor prevent dark web return. App restrictions target peer-to-peer sharing platforms, and history retention aids audits.

The residency clause—nights in Haringey or Epping—curbs mobility, and the child contact ban protects potential victims. Breaches carry immediate custody risks, enforcing compliance until the February hearing.

Broader Context of Dark Web Child Abuse Investigations

This case exemplifies rising UK efforts against dark web abuse rings. The NCA, alongside police, targets cryptocurrencies and hidden services, with successes dismantling similar forums. Slate’s Haringey links highlight suburban involvement in global crimes, prompting community vigilance.

Public awareness campaigns urge reporting suspicions, as hidden harms surface through tips and tech. While neutral on guilt—Slate denies wrongdoing implicitly via bail— the allegations demand robust justice.