A Chinese man has been jailed for life after being branded one of the Metropolitan Police’s most prolific sex offenders. Chao Xu, 33, from Greenwich, was handed a life sentence with a minimum of 14 years at Woolwich Crown Court.
Shocking Crimes Uncovered
Xu pleaded guilty to 24 offences against six women, including:
- 4 counts of rape
- 8 counts of assault by penetration
- 4 sexual assaults
- 2 counts of administering substances with intent
- 4 voyeurism charges
- 2 counts of upskirting
He will remain on the sex offenders register for life.
Disturbing Modus Operandi
Police revealed Xu used university and professional networking events at his home as a cover. He targeted women over years, supplying alcohol and a cocktail he dubbed the “Spring of Life” — a mix of booze and Chinese herbs designed to stupefy his victims.
His arrest came after a woman dialled 999 from his home, reporting she had been drugged and assaulted. Searches uncovered hidden cameras, suspicious substances, and thousands of images and videos of unconscious women. Devices seized contained extensive digital evidence of his crimes.
Hundreds of Potential Victims
Seven victims of serious sexual assault have been identified; three have been traced. Police believe hundreds more may have been targeted, both in the UK and China, in voyeurism, upskirting, and sexual offences.
Since an appeal in August, 11 more women have come forward. Detectives are sifting through millions of digital files, including six million WeChat messages, in one of the Met’s biggest digital forensic probes.
“I have reached the inevitable conclusion that you are an incredibly dangerous man,” said Judge Grout. “Your behaviour was calculated and planned. You betrayed the trust of a number of women in the most appalling ways imaginable. You are a sexual predator who will gain the trust and confidence of women before raping and sexually assaulting them.”
The judge added that Xu, as a foreign national, is “liable in principle” to be deported back to China after serving his sentence.
