Authorities fear there may be up to 50 more victims
London, United Kingdom: Zhenhao Zou, a 28-year-old Chinese PhD student, has been found guilty of drugging and raping 10 women over four years in both the UK and China. According to a BBC report, Zou filmed nine of his victims during the assaults, keeping the footage as personal trophies. So far, only two victims have been identified.
Described in court as a calculating predator, Zou carried out the attacks between September 2019 and May 2023 while pursuing his PhD at University College London (UCL). Using the pseudonym “Pakho”, he befriended fellow Chinese students via social media platforms and dating apps. He would invite them for drinks, drug them, and sexually assault them at his residences in London and China. Seven of the rapes occurred during the pandemic in China.
Survivors recount terrifying experiences
One of Zou’s victims, who was attacked at his Elephant and Castle residence on May 18, 2023, testified in court that she was forcibly detained in his home. After drinking a large amount of alcohol, she attempted to leave but was physically restrained. She recounted how Zou dragged her into his bedroom and raped her.
Another victim was heard in video evidence pleading with Zou to stop before losing consciousness. The footage captured her begging, “I really don’t want… I beg you, don’t do this.”
A pattern of predation and disturbing behavior
Beyond the rape convictions, Zou was also found guilty of voyeurism, possession of extreme pornographic material, false imprisonment, and possession of controlled drugs with the intent to commit sexual offenses.
During the trial, Chinese PhD student Zou admitted to consuming extreme pornography, revealing that he was aroused by videos depicting sex with unconscious women and rape roleplay. He bragged about having “five new sexual partners every month.”
Authorities fear there may be more victims
Prosecutor Catherine Farrelly KC described Zou as appearing to be “a smart and charming young man” but ultimately revealed himself as “a persistent sexual predator, a voyeur, and a rapist.”
“He was a wolf in sheep’s clothing and every woman’s nightmare,” she told the jury. “He was sexually excited by the idea of rape. He is a serial rapist and a predator. He used drinks or drugs to incapacitate women.”
Metropolitan Police Commander Kevin Southworth revealed that video evidence suggests Zou may have up to 50 additional victims who have not yet come forward.
“Given the insidious nature of these offenses, it is possible that many victims may not even realize they were raped,” Southworth said. “This man may well turn out to be one of the most prolific sexual predators this country has ever seen.”
Zou first came to Britain in 2017 to study at Queen’s University Belfast before moving to UCL in 2019 to continue his research.
