Serial rapist who hid camera in air freshener pleads guilty to 24 sex offences

A serial rapist who drugged his victims and hid cameras inside an air freshener has pleaded guilty to 24 sex offences.

Chao Xu, 33, of Greenwich, southeast London, 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, commonly known as upskirting. The offences were committed against at least 12 victims between February 2022 and June 2025, Woolwich Crown Court heard.

Xu, who is from China but is believed to have been living in the UK since 2013, was found to have planted hidden cameras in an air freshener and in bathrooms at multiple locations, including a workplace and London Bridge Underground station. Police also found him with hundreds of intimate images and videos of women that appeared to be filmed without consent.

Detectives were alerted to Xu's crimes after he held a networking event at one of his properties in Greenwich in June. When one of the women who attended became unwell, Xu offered for her to stay, before raping her several times, the Metropolitan Police said.

They later found he had drugged her with substances known to cause drowsiness and incapacitation. Detective Chief Inspector Lewis Sanderson commented: "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.

"Our investigation is ongoing and we continue to examine the large amount of evidence we have collected, which will help identify any further potential victim-survivors. "We're also asking anyone who has any information about Xu or believes they may have been a victim to come forward - you will be listened to." Read more from Sky NewsThree killed in Highlands car crashThree arrests in EppingFraudster ordered to give up Ferrari Xu pleaded not guilty to one charge of sexual assault and another of assault by penetration.

These were not taken forward and will now lie on file. Addressing him at the plea and trial preparation hearing, the judge, Recorder Simon Stirling, said the "inevitable outcome is a lengthy custodial sentence".

Suzanne Crane, of the Crown Prosecution Service, added after the hearing: "Xu is a serious danger to women and the scale of his offending is such that without the brave testimony of victims, who came forward after realising what had happened to them, he may well have continued undetected. "From the outset, we worked closely with the police to build a strong case.

The evidence included disturbing images and videos recovered from Xu's phone, hidden cameras, and substances commonly used to spike drinks found at his home. This overwhelming evidence led to his guilty pleas today." He was remanded in custody until his sentencing hearing on 14 November..