A serial sex offender, John Xydias, was finally caught by the police after his girlfriend stumbled upon some disturbing footage of him raping unconscious women. The incident took place in Melbourne between 1991 and 2006, where Xydias committed his horrendous acts. His girlfriend, Josie Francoli, played a crucial role in exposing his crimes, which led to the arrest of both Xydias and his accomplice, known as the ‘Hot Chocolate Rapist’.
Josie discovered a suspicious DVD in their home, which contained footage of what seemed to be a women’s changing room. She immediately handed it over to the authorities, prompting a search of Xydias’ residence. The police uncovered 13 videos of him assaulting unconscious women, along with pictures of female genitals, women’s underwear, and recording equipment. Josie’s bravery in confronting the situation was commendable, as she felt a sense of relief for potentially saving other victims from Xydias’ heinous acts.
Despite having a seemingly normal relationship with Xydias for a decade, Josie noticed some odd behaviors that raised suspicions. She recalled instances where her lingerie went missing, and Xydias had an unusual obsession with Australian television presenter Naomi Robson. His fixation with Robson eventually led to his downfall when he asked Josie to record a show featuring the presenter, unknowingly revealing his disturbing secret recording of women undressing. This discovery shocked Josie, prompting her to contact the authorities and set off a chain of events that exposed Xydias’ true nature.
The police’s subsequent investigation uncovered more than 200 DVDs, revealing the extent of Xydias’ crimes. Victims who were shown the videos of their assaults expressed feelings of disgust, shame, and invasion of privacy. One victim, who narrowly escaped assault, recounted the horrifying experience of waking up to find Xydias filming her without consent. Despite Xydias’ attempts to shift blame onto the victims, the evidence against him was overwhelming, leading to his conviction on multiple counts of rape and indecent assault.
Furthermore, Xydias’ association with another serial sex offender, Harry Barkas, shed light on a larger network of criminal activity. Barkas, known as the ‘Hot Chocolate Rapist’, worked in conjunction with Xydias to drug and assault women. Josie’s involvement in Barkas’ arrest, after recognizing him from a facial composite sketch, highlighted the interconnectedness of these perpetrators’ crimes. Barkas’ eventual conviction for multiple assaults, along with Xydias’ sentencing, brought some closure to the victims, although the trauma of their experiences lingered.
In the end, the collaborative efforts of law enforcement and courageous individuals like Josie played a crucial role in bringing these criminals to justice. The impact of their actions reverberated throughout the community, serving as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and accountability in combating sexual violence. As the victims continue to grapple with the aftermath of their ordeals, the legacy of Xydias and Barkas serves as a cautionary tale of the depths of human depravity.
