Chao Xu jailed for life for drugging, raping and filming victims
Metropolitan PoliceA serial rapist thought to be “one of the most prolific sex offenders of all time” who drugged, raped and secretly filmed his victims has been sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 14 years.
Chao Xu, a Chinese national, admitted 24 sexual offenses, including sexual assault, voyeurism and upskirting, against six women between November 2021 and June 2025.
Sentencing Xu at Woolwich Crown Court, Judge Christopher Grout described him as a “sexual predator” and “an incredibly dangerous man”.
One of the women he targeted told the court she could “never forget” what Xu did to her. Police are appealing for more victims to come forward.
Detectives believe Xu held networking events at his flat in south-east London, where he spiked drinks and raped some of the women in attendance.
They found videos on his devices in which he recorded himself raping women who appeared to be incapacitated or unconscious.
He set up hidden cameras in an air freshener and speaker to film people showering, using the toilet, and changing.
Police found that he had made “compilations” of his voyeuristic activities and put together recordings of himself raping unlicensed women.
‘It’s out of control’
One victim told the court: “I don’t think I’ll ever be the same person again.
“I’m afraid I’ll never forget what that man did to me, how he stole the person I was.
“I fear that I may have introduced Xu to other women who shared the same fate as me. I carry that too.
“I felt out of control and very alone. I was told the drugs he was using were for animals.”
He explained that although he was drugged, he was conscious enough to know what was happening to him.
“The scariest thing was that I couldn’t open my eyes and mouth.
“I couldn’t move my body either. I felt everything he did, he took off my dress and touched me intimately. I was terrified.
“From time to time, I could see with my own eyes that his phone was off. I couldn’t understand why he was doing this to me.
“He was supposed to be a friend.”
