Key Points
- Zhenhao Zou, a Chinese PhD student at University College London (UCL), was convicted in March 2025 of raping ten women across the UK and China, with police suspecting over 50 additional victims.
- The Metropolitan Police confirmed Zou was found guilty of 28 offences, including 11 counts of rape, three counts of voyeurism, and possession of extreme pornography.
- As reported by BBC News, detectives described Zou as “one of the most prolific predators we have ever seen” due to the scale and calculated nature of his crimes.
- Twenty-three women have come forward since the conviction, with investigators urging more survivors to report, particularly those in China and other international locations.
- During sentencing in June 2025, one survivor delivered a powerful victim impact statement, declaring: “You wrought such dehumanising violence on my body”.
- Commander Kevin Southworth of the Metropolitan Police praised the courage of survivors coming forward and reaffirmed the force’s commitment to victim support and justice.
- UCL issued multiple statements acknowledging the conviction and outlining enhanced support services for students and staff affected by the case.
What led to the conviction of Zhenhao Zou?
As reported by the Metropolitan Police in a press release dated 1 April 2025, Zhenhao Zou, a Chinese national and PhD student residing in London, was convicted of 28 offences following a trial at Inner London Crown Court. The charges included 11 counts of rape, three counts of voyeurism, ten counts of possessing extreme pornographic images, one count of false imprisonment, and three counts of intent to commit a sexual offence using the drug Butanediol. According to the Met, the jury unanimously found Zou guilty after hearing evidence of his predatory conduct across two continents—specifically targeting women in London and in China.
Detectives revealed that while only ten women were formally identified as victims during the trial, eight of those remained anonymous throughout the proceedings. The investigation, led by the Met’s public protection unit, was described as “extensive and complex,” involving digital forensics, international cooperation, and victim outreach. As noted by Commander Kevin Southworth, the case highlighted the challenges of cross-border investigations and the importance of public appeals in identifying survivors.
How did survivors respond to the sentencing?
Following the conviction, one survivor delivered a harrowing victim impact statement during Zou’s sentencing hearing in June 2025. As widely reported in media coverage, she stated:
“You wrought such dehumanising violence on my body, and I will carry the scars—visible and invisible—for the rest of my life”.
Her testimony underscored the profound psychological and physical trauma inflicted by Zou, whom she described as “calculating, cold, and devoid of remorse”.
The statement was cited by multiple outlets, including BBC News, which described the moment as
“one of the most emotionally charged in the courtroom”.
The survivor went on to criticise the initial police response, noting that her report was initially dismissed due to lack of physical evidence, a common issue faced by rape survivors in the UK justice system. She urged authorities to improve training for frontline officers and to prioritise survivor testimony in investigations.
How many more victims might there be?
As reported by the Metropolitan Police, investigators believe Zhenhao Zou may have assaulted more than 50 additional women who have not yet been identified. Following the conviction, the Met launched a public appeal through the Major Incident Public Portal (MIPP), which led to 23 women coming forward with allegations. These reports came from women residing in the UK, China, and other parts of the world, indicating the international scope of Zou’s offending.
Commander Kevin Southworth stated: “We believe there are still more victim-survivors to be traced, and we are committed to ensuring they receive the support and justice they deserve”. The Met has established a dedicated email line and a multilingual reporting portal, including a version in Simplified Chinese, to facilitate access for non-English speakers. The Crown Prosecution Service is currently reviewing new evidence for potential additional charges.
What has UCL said about the case?
University College London (UCL) issued a formal statement on 10 March 2025, following Zou’s conviction, expressing “deep concern and sorrow” for the victims. As reported by UCL News, the university confirmed that Zou was a registered PhD student at the time of his arrest but had been suspended pending investigation. The statement emphasised that UCL had cooperated fully with the Metropolitan Police and had since reviewed its safeguarding protocols.
In a follow-up announcement on 19 June 2025, UCL outlined expanded mental health and wellbeing services for students and staff, including trauma-informed counselling and mandatory training on sexual misconduct for all academic staff. The Students’ Union also released a statement, calling for greater transparency and accountability in how institutions handle allegations involving international students.
What does this case reveal about sexual violence in London?
The Zou case has reignited national debate about the handling of sexual assault cases in the UK, particularly those involving international perpetrators and victims. As highlighted by the Met’s V100 programme, which targets high-risk offenders, data-driven policing is increasingly being used to identify and prosecute serial predators. However, survivors and advocacy groups continue to raise concerns about systemic failures, including low conviction rates and the re-traumatisation of victims during legal proceedings.
Organisations such as Rape Crisis England & Wales and The Survivors Trust have called for increased funding for survivor support services and better coordination between universities, police, and health providers. The case also underscores the importance of multilingual outreach, as many potential victims may be hesitant to report due to language barriers or fear of immigration repercussions.
