‘Calculated’ Predator Who Spiked and Raped Students is Jailed for Life
A serial rapist described by police as one of Britain's most concerning sex offenders has been sentenced to life imprisonment. Chao Xu, 33, must serve a minimum of 14 years for a campaign of abuse that involved drugging his victims and secretly filming the assaults.
A Trail of Covert Crimes
Xu, a Chinese national, used his position as a recruitment company director to target young Chinese students. He would host networking events at his flat on Glaisher Street in Greenwich, using them as a cover for his 'calculated' crimes. The court heard he offered guests a special cocktail named 'The Spirit of Life', which he would then spike with stupefying drugs intended for his victims.
Once they became unwell, he would offer them a place to stay before sexually assaulting them while they were unconscious or heavily intoxicated. Forensic analysis of one victim confirmed the presence of GHB and Scopolamine, drugs known to cause amnesia and severe drowsiness.
Police discovered hidden cameras concealed inside household objects like an air freshener and a packet of sanitary pads throughout his property. These were used to spy on women without their knowledge.
A Web of Victims and Similar Cases
Xu's crimes came to light on 1 June this year when a brave victim contacted the police directly from his address. She reported suspecting she had been spiked during an event and recalled being sexually assaulted and filmed.
Officers arrived within minutes, and a forensic examination of his phone uncovered what was described as 'deeply disturbing material'. This included videos of Xu raping and sexually abusing women who appeared to be unconscious.
At a hearing at Woolwich Crown Court in August, Xu pleaded guilty to 24 sexual offences against at least 12 victims over a three-year period. Detectives have so far identified three victims, while four others who suffered serious sexual assaults remain unknown. All are believed to be of Chinese heritage.
His crimes bear a strong resemblance to those of another Chinese national, Zhenhao Zou, a PhD student jailed for life in June for drugging and raping 10 women. However, police have stated they have 'no reason to believe at all' the two men were connected or knew each other.
Hundreds More Victims Feared
The investigation revealed that Xu's predatory behaviour extended far beyond his home. He had also filmed women at his workplace and was found to have participated in 'upskirting' at London Bridge underground station. His phone contained hundreds of such images taken on the London Underground.
Lead investigator, Detective Chief Inspector Lewis Sanderson, said: 'This case has revealed a deeply disturbing pattern of behaviour that spans several years. Xu operated in environments that were meant to be safe. He used trust, familiarity and social gatherings to pursue his actions.'
The Metropolitan Police now believe Xu may have 'hundreds more' victims and are urgently appealing for any women who may have had contact with him to come forward. Despite his crimes, Xu, who came to the UK in 2016 to study International Law, had no previous convictions and was not known to police.
In impact statements, his victims described suffering from nightmares, anxiety, and struggles with their work and studies. One victim said: 'I feel miserable most of the time now and feel hopeless. I was not like this before he assaulted me. He has changed me.'
