London PhD student drugged, filmed and raped dozens of women; gets life term
A former PhD student from China, described as one of the worst serial sex offenders in British history, has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 24 years for drugging, raping, and filming dozens of women, The Guardian reported on Thursday.
Zhenhao Zou, 28, was a student at University College London and lured women to his flat with invitations to study or drink, then drugged and raped them, often filming the assaults on hidden cameras. Zou was convicted in March of raping 10 women, three in London and seven in China, but police say he may have had at least 60 victims between 2019 and 2024.
According to The Guardian, more than 20 women have come forward since his conviction, and police are working to identify others who appeared in 58 rape videos discovered on Zou's devices. The women, many of Chinese heritage, could be seen and heard in the footage pleading for him to stop before losing consciousness.
In one video, a woman says: 'I really don't want … I beg you, don't do this.' Zou replies: 'Don't push me, it's pointless … The sound insulation here is very good.'
Zou was first reported to the Metropolitan Police on 18 November 2023. After an initial complaint was dropped, he flew to China but was arrested on his return to the UK in January 2024. When police raided his flat, they discovered designer goods and a box believed to contain 'souvenirs' from victims.
Wearing a suit and glasses in court, Zou appeared mild-mannered but testified chillingly about his preferences in pornography. 'I like it because the girl appears to be still and quiet when they are having sex,' he told the court. When asked if he preferred women to be asleep, he replied: 'Yes, that's my favourite type. But I could not find that.'
He was convicted of 28 offences, including 11 counts of rape, false imprisonment, voyeurism, and possession of extreme pornography and drugs used to facilitate sexual offences.
Commander Kevin Southworth of the Metropolitan Police said: 'Thanks to the remarkable efforts of our officers and prosecutors, a dangerous and cowardly offender will now spend the next 24 years behind bars. I hope the fact Zou can no longer harm others serves as a small amount of comfort to the women who have suffered immeasurably, ' The Guardian reported.
Detectives urged any woman who fears she may have been a victim to come forward and assured them they would be treated with 'empathy, kindness and respect.'
Zou used social media and dating apps to contact women, often presenting himself as a 'charming' gentleman. One victim told the court that he appeared kind and well-mannered. Police said no complaints had been received from women during his earlier studies at Queen's University Belfast but encouraged any with concerns to speak with officers.
(With Inputs from BBC, The Guardian)
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