Key Points:
- PhD student Zhenhao Zou, 28, convicted of drugging and raping 10 women in London and China.
- Zou filmed nine of the attacks and kept a trophy box of women’s belongings.
- Police believe he may have targeted over 50 women.
- Zou was convicted of 11 counts of rape, along with multiple other offences.
- Judge Rosina Cottage called him a “dangerous and predatory sexual offender.”
- He will be sentenced on June 19.
- Jurors watched disturbing footage of the attacks during trial.
- Zou targeted fellow Chinese students via WeChat and dating apps.
- His crimes bear chilling similarities to Reynhard Sinaga and Stephen Port.
- UK police are in discussions with China about potential social media appeals.
PhD Student Convicted of Drugging and Raping 10 Women in London and China
A PhD student in south-east London has been found guilty of drugging and raping at least 10 women, with police fearing he may have targeted over 50 victims.
Zhenhao Zou, 28, of Churchyard Row, Elephant and Castle, was convicted after a month-long trial at Inner London Crown Court. Jurors heard harrowing details of how Zou used sedative drugs to incapacitate his victims, filmed the attacks as “souvenirs,” and kept a collection of women’s belongings as trophies.
Who Is Zhenhao Zou and How Did He Operate?
Zou, originally from China, first moved to the UK in 2017 to study mechanical engineering at Queen’s University Belfast before pursuing further studies at University College London (UCL). Prosecutors described him as appearing to be “a smart and charming young man” but in reality, “a persistent sexual predator, a voyeur, and a rapist.”
He primarily targeted fellow Chinese students on platforms such as WeChat and dating apps, luring them to his flats in London or China, where he drugged and assaulted them.
What Were the Charges Against Zou?
Zou was convicted of:
- 11 counts of rape (three victims in London, seven in China)
- Three counts of voyeurism
- 10 counts of possessing extreme pornographic images
- One count of false imprisonment
- Three counts of possessing a controlled drug with intent to commit a sexual offence (butanediol)
He was cleared of additional charges relating to MDMA, ketamine, and alprazolam.
How Were Zou’s Crimes Uncovered?
In November 2023, a woman reported Zou to the police, alleging she had been assaulted. Although there was initially insufficient evidence to charge him, a search of his phone uncovered disturbing footage of him raping unconscious women. Police later discovered sedating drugs and pipettes in his flat, leading to a full investigation.
Two victims came forward during the trial. One woman, now in China, testified that she was raped in Zou’s Russell Square student flat in October 2021. Another said she was attacked in May 2023 at his Elephant and Castle flat after he forced her to drink excessive amounts of alcohol and refused to let her leave.
Jurors rejected Zou’s claims that the sexual encounters were consensual and that the women voluntarily consumed drugs and alcohol. He also claimed some of the footage was part of role-playing.
What Did the Court Reveal About Zou’s Behaviour?
Jurors were shown footage of nine rapes, which caused visible distress in court. One particularly chilling video featured a victim—referred to as Female A—trying to resist Zou while struggling to stay conscious. He was heard telling her, “The sound insulation here is very good.”
Zou’s wealth also played a role in his ability to commit his crimes. He came from a wealthy family, owned a Rolex, had a designer wardrobe, and underwent cosmetic surgery. He paid thousands in rent for his London flats, where he carried out many of his attacks.
How Does This Case Compare to Other Notorious Predators?
Zou’s crimes bear similarities to other high-profile sex offenders in the UK:
- Reynhard Sinaga – Convicted of 159 sexual offences against 48 men in Manchester, Sinaga also drugged and filmed his victims.
- Stephen Port – A serial killer who drugged and murdered four men with overdoses of the sedative drug GHB.
If police confirm Zou’s suspected 50 additional victims, he could be classified among the UK’s most prolific sex offenders.
What Happens Next?
Zou is due to be sentenced on June 19, with Judge Rosina Cottage warning that he faces a “very long” prison term. Authorities are now appealing for further victims to come forward.
UK detectives have confirmed that Chinese authorities have been “responsive and helpful” in the investigation. While no searches have been conducted at Zou’s properties in China, discussions are ongoing about launching social media appeals on platforms like WeChat and Little Red Book to reach potential victims.
Senior Crown Prosecutor Saira Pike praised the bravery of the two women who testified and urged any additional victims to contact the police.
How Can Potential Victims Get Help?
The Metropolitan Police urge anyone with information or who may have been affected to come forward. Victims can contact:
- The Metropolitan Police via 101
- Crimestoppers anonymously at 0800 555 111
- Specialist support services such as Rape Crisis England & Wales
The case continues to develop as investigators search for more victims and piece together the full extent of Zou’s crimes.
