'Predator' who spiked and raped students jailed for life

A serial rapist suspected of being one of the UK’s worst sex offenders has been jailed for life with a minimum of 14 years, after spiking and recording his victims as he abused them.

- HOLLY EVANS

Chao Xu, 33, had placed hidden cameras inside household objects such as an air freshener and a packet of sanitary pads to spy on women visiting his home address in Greenwich, and had also filmed women at his workplace and participated in “upskirting” at London Bridge underground station. The Metropolitan Police believe that the Chinese national may have “hundreds more” victims, and have urged women who may have had contact with Xu to come forward.

Prosecutor Catherine Farrelly KC told the court: “The evidence gathered by the police shows the defendant to be a bold and persistent sexual predator whose offending has steadily become more and more serious. The evidence revealed he was so emboldened he was willing to strike anywhere. At his own home address, at his place of work and in train stations and also willing to strike in respect of anyone.”

She added: “Some of his offending even occurred when there were others around. It appears that there was no woman safe around him.” His Honour Judge Christopher Grout said Xu was an “incredibly dangerous man” who “took great enjoyment” from his offending.

The judge told Xu: “Your behaviour was calculated and planned, evidenced by the covert recording systems you had set up in your flats and the fact you had incapacitated a number of your victims by drugging them. You betrayed the trust of a number of women who you befriended in the most appalling ways imaginable.” Judge Grout added that any possible deportation to China was a “matter for the Home Office”.