A PhD student convicted of drugging and raping 11 women “may turn out to be one of the most prolific sexual predators that we’ve ever seen in this country,” according to the lead detective on the case.
Chinese national Zhenhao Zou, 28, attacked two women who have been identified and another eight who have yet to be traced, his trial at Inner London Crown Court heard. He filmed nine of the assaults as “souvenirs” and kept a trophy box of victims’ belongings, jurors were told.
Judge Rosina Cottage described him as a “dangerous and predatory sexual offender” and warned that he faces a “very long” jail term when he is sentenced on 19 June. The Met Police’s Cdr Kevin Southworth said video evidence suggested there may be as many as 50 further victims, whom they are “desperate to trace.”
“Such is the insidious nature of these offences, I think there is a possibility that many more victim survivors may not even know that he has, in fact, raped them,” he said.
Zou, who was studying at University College London, was also found guilty of voyeurism, possession of extreme pornographic images, and false imprisonment. The crimes he has been convicted of took place between 2019 and 2024.Â
Seven of the rapes occurred during the pandemic in China. Evidence of those attacks was presented in court through videos Zou kept of himself engaging in sexual acts with unconscious and semi-conscious women. Police have never identified these victims.
Four of the rapes took place in London. Two women were identified and testified in court, while the other two rapes involved the same woman, who has not yet been tracked down. Jurors had to watch footage of nine of the rapes during the trial, appearing visibly distressed and being given regular breaks due to the disturbing nature of the material. Some of the attacks were filmed at his flats in Bloomsbury and Elephant and Castle, while others took place at an unknown location in China.
Prosecutors were able to bring charges against him for the rapes committed abroad because foreign nationals living in the UK can be prosecuted for offences committed overseas if the crime is also illegal in the country where it took place.
When arrested in January last year, Zou told the jury that one of the women he filmed had consented to “rape role play” as part of a discussion on sexual preferences. “We specifically discussed the kinds of role play I like, which was rape role play,” he said, claiming this was the reason for the videos.
Zou, who comes from a wealthy family, could afford a Rolex watch, a wardrobe full of designer clothes, and cosmetic procedures including a hair transplant and facial surgery. He also paid £4,000 a month in rent. Additionally, he kept items from victims, such as jewellery and clothing.
The Met Police has launched an appeal to locate any other potential victims. “If you’re a woman who’s in any way had a one-on-one encounter with this man Zou, then we would like to hear from you,” Cdr Southworth said.
Saira Pike from the Crown Prosecution Service praised the survivors, saying, “I’d like to express my heartfelt thanks to the courageous women who came forward to report Zhenhao Zou’s heinous crimes. They have been incredibly strong and brave – there is no doubt that their evidence helped us to secure today’s verdict. Zou is a serial rapist and a danger to women.”
Zou was found guilty of 11 counts of rape, including two offences against one victim, three counts of voyeurism, 10 counts of possession of an extreme pornographic image, one count of false imprisonment, and three counts of possession of a controlled drug with intent to commit a sexual offence. He was acquitted of two counts of possession of extreme pornographic images and five counts of possession of controlled drugs with intent to commit a sexual offence.
(BBC)
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