Chao Xu, a 33-year-old serial rapist from Greenwich, south-east London, pleaded guilty to 24 sexual offences against at least 12 victims at Woolwich Crown Court on Friday. The defendant, originally from China and believed to have lived in the UK since 2013, committed the crimes over three years between February 2022 and June 2025.
Xu admitted four counts of rape, eight counts of assault by penetration, four counts of sexual assault, four counts of voyeurism, two counts of administering a substance with intent, and two counts of operating equipment beneath the clothing of another without consent. He pleaded not guilty to one count of sexual assault and one count of assault by penetration, but the Crown announced it will not pursue a trial on those charges.
Discovery and arrest
Police were first alerted to Xu's offending after a networking event he held at one of his home addresses in Greenwich in June. He offered one woman who became unwell to stay in his flat to recover, then proceeded to rape her multiple times. Officers later discovered he had administered drugs to her which are known to cause drowsiness and incapacitation.
Police found Xu had hidden camera devices in multiple locations, including inside an air freshener and in bathrooms. He had hundreds of intimate images and videos of women on his phone believed to have been obtained without consent.
Scale of offending
The prosecutor told the court Xu pleaded guilty to sexual offences concerning three known complainants, three unknown complainants and, in relation to some voyeurism counts, six "different" unknown complainants. In relation to upskirting charges, the defendant used cameras at a workplace and at London Bridge underground station.
Detective Chief Inspector Lewis Sanderson said: "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." He added that the investigation is ongoing and urged anyone who believes they may have been a victim to come forward.
Sentencing and next steps
Recorder Simon Stirling told Xu: "You have pleaded guilty to a large number of offences for which the inevitable outcome is a lengthy custodial sentence." The judge explained the defendant will be assessed by a psychologist to determine whether he is dangerous under the sentencing act.
Xu was remanded in custody ahead of his sentencing hearing at the same court on November 14. Suzanne Crane from the Crown Prosecution Service said: "Chao Xu deliberately drugged women to render them unconscious and vulnerable, enabling him to rape and sexually assault them without their knowledge."
Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
