Chinese national sentenced to life as Met Police warn he is one of the most prolific sex offenders ever investigated – with hundreds more potential victims in UK and China

Chao Xu, 33 (18.02.92), a Chinese national of Glaisher Street, Greenwich, SE8 3, has today been sentenced at Woolwich Crown Court to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 14 years after pleading guilty to 24 counts involving six women. He will also be on the sex offenders register for life.

These include four counts of rape, eight counts of assault by penetration, four counts of sexual assault, two counts of administering substances with intent, four counts of voyeurism, and two counts of upskirting. Two additional counts will remain on file which relate to a seventh victim.

Xu is one of the most prolific sexual offenders ever uncovered by the Metropolitan Police. He used his position within university and professional networks to target women over several years, presenting himself as a trusted figure while committing calculated and devastating crimes.

He hosted networking events at his home, which were used as cover for his predatory behaviour. Forensic analysis of his devices revealed thousands of images and videos, many showing women unconscious or incapacitated, and covert cameras hidden throughout his property. Officers also discovered suspicious substances believed to have been used to render victims vulnerable.

The sentence reflects justice for the women who have endured unimaginable harm and is testament to the extraordinary efforts of detectives who left no stone unturned to take a dangerous sexual predator off the streets.

At the events hosted at his home, Xu would supply alcohol and a cocktail which he dubbed the ‘Spring of Life’. It contained a mixture of alcohols and Chinese herbal medicines, intended to stupefy guests.

Following a networking event at his residence, Xu assaulted a guest after administering drugs. When the victim regained consciousness, she recalled parts of the attack, including Xu filming on his mobile device. Still at the property, she called 999 to report the incident. Officers arrived within 12 minutes, and Xu was arrested at the scene.

When reviewing the phone, it became obvious that Xu had drugged and raped women while they were unconscious or incapacitated and filmed his attacks using covert cameras hidden throughout his property. When searching the property, officers discovered multiple surveillance devices in his bathroom, bedroom and wardrobe, thousands of images and videos on his devices, alongside suspicious substances. Analysis of this material revealed a deeply disturbing pattern of offending that spanned several years.

Detectives have so far identified seven victims of serious sexual assault, three of whom have been traced and are receiving specialist support. Four remain unidentified. However, the scale of offending is far greater. Investigators believe there are hundreds more victims of voyeurism, upskirting and potentially contact sexual offences, both in the UK and in China. Xu’s crimes extended beyond his Greenwich address to workplaces, public spaces and overseas, exploiting trust and familiarity to conceal his actions.

Since the Met launched its appeal in August, 11 additional women have come forward. Detectives continue to investigate these reports and anticipate further disclosures as the next phase of the investigation begins. This phase involves reviewing an enormous volume of digital evidence recovered from Xu’s devices, including six million WeChat messages, thousands of images and videos, his search history and other material that may identify further victims. This is one of the largest digital forensic undertakings the Met has ever faced.

Detective Superintendent Lewis Sanderson, who led the Met’s investigation, said:

“Chao Xu is among the most dangerous and prolific sexual offenders we have ever encountered. His crimes were calculated, sustained, and devastating, spanning years and leaving unimaginable harm in their wake. Thanks to the relentless efforts of our officers and prosecutors, this cowardly predator has now been handed a life sentence. I hope this brings some measure of comfort to the courageous women who came forward and supported this investigation. Without their bravery, Xu’s offending could have continued unchecked.

“Our work does not stop here. The investigation remains very much open, and we believe there are many more victims—potentially hundreds—both in the UK and overseas. If you think you may have been targeted by Xu, please come forward and speak with our team. You will be treated with empathy, kindness, and respect, and we will do everything possible to support you.”

Suzanne Crane, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said:

“Chao Xu is a prolific and dangerous sexual predator who drugged and incapacitated six women so that he could rape and sexually assault them.

“The scale of his offending is such that without the brave testimony of victims, who came forward after realising what had happened to them, may well have continued undetected.

“We worked with the police from the outset to make sure we had enough evidence to prosecute him for these appalling crimes. His victims were at their most vulnerable and unable to take action to protect themselves.

“It was the strength of our case, including images and videos found on his phone, hidden cameras, and drugs commonly used to spike drinks seized from his home address, that secured his guilty pleas.

“We will continue to work closely with police and other partners to secure more guilty pleas, which brings justice to victims quickly and makes the criminal justice system more efficient.”

The Met is now making a further appeal for anyone who believes they may have been a victim of Xu to come forward. This includes individuals who attended networking events, visited his property, or had any contact with him in the UK or China.

How to contact the police and independent support agencies:   

Reports relating to Chao Xu can be made online via the Major Incident Public Portal.  The MIPP is also available in:

English - https://mipp.police.uk/operation/01MPS25Y21-PO1,

Mandarin - https://mipp.police.uk/operation/01MPS25Y21-PO2, and

Cantonese - https://mipp.police.uk/operation/01MPS25Y21-PO3

This means it is as accessible as possible for potential victims and survivors to make reports.   

If you wish to speak to Met detectives or make a report relating to Xu, you can also contact police via email on operation.kafka@met.police.uk or on 02071753802. 

You can also make a report to police by calling 101 from within the UK, quoting reference 01/7563135/25.   

If you live in England or Wales and have been affected by this case and would like to seek support from specialist agencies, please contact the independent charity Rape Crisis via their 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line  or call them on 0808 500 2222. Specially trained staff are there to listen, answer questions and offer emotional support.