Locations
Glaisher Street, Deptford, London, Greenwich, SE8
Description
Prolific Sex Offender Admits to Drugging and Raping Woman Multiple Times, Plus Offenses Against Others
A man described as "a prolific, calculated sex offender" has confessed to drugging and raping a woman on four occasions, along with committing sexual crimes against five additional women.
Chao Xu, aged 33, faced initial charges for raping a woman following a social event at his residence in Greenwich, south-east London. Subsequent accusations emerged involving further offenses against other victims.
At Woolwich Crown Court, Xu entered guilty pleas to 24 sexual offenses, encompassing sexual assault, voyeurism, and upskirting. He remains in custody pending his sentencing date of November 14.
Investigators suspect the Chinese national's criminal activities extend far beyond the current charges and are encouraging additional victims to report.
Concealed Camera in Air Freshener
In June, during a networking gathering at his home, Xu offered a female attendee the chance to stay and recuperate after she felt ill. He proceeded to drug and rape her repeatedly, according to the Metropolitan Police.
Authorities discovered hidden cameras placed by Xu in various spots, such as within an air freshener and in restrooms.
His mobile device contained hundreds of unauthorized intimate photos and videos of unidentified women.
Police now estimate that Xu's offenses span several years and include many more incidents.
Leading the probe, Detective Chief Inspector Lewis Sanderson stated: "Xu is a calculated prolific sex offender, who has preyed on unsuspecting women using cowardly methods - administering drugs to rape, sexually assault and take intimate images without consent.
"Our investigation is ongoing and we continue to examine a large amount of evidence, which will help identify any further potential victims."
Xu, a UK resident since 2013, admitted guilt to four rape charges, eight counts of assault by penetration, four sexual assaults, four voyeurism offenses, two instances of administering substances with intent, and two upskirting violations—formally known as operating equipment under another's clothing without consent—occurring from February 2022 to June 2025.
The court was informed that the upskirting incidents involved cameras at a workplace and London Bridge Underground Station.
He denied one sexual assault charge and one assault by penetration count, but prosecutors indicated they would not proceed to trial, opting instead to leave them on file.
'Serious Danger to Women'
Recorder Simon Stirling, the presiding judge, addressed Xu: "You have pleaded guilty to a large number of offences for which the inevitable outcome is a lengthy custodial sentence."
Crown Prosecution Service's Suzanne Crane remarked that Xu had "deliberately drugged women to render them unconscious and vulnerable, enabling him to rape and sexually assault them without their knowledge."
She further noted: "Xu is a serious danger to women, and without the bravery of victims who came forward, his offending may well have continued undetected."