A Chinese postgraduate student has been handed a life sentence for a series of appalling sexual assaults that spanned both the United Kingdom and China. Zhenhao Zou, 28, was found guilty of drugging and raping at least ten women, with authorities worried that the true number of victims could be much higher.
Zou, who was studying for a PhD, perpetrated his crimes while living in south-east London’s Elephant and Castle. Over a period stretching from September 2019 to May 2023, he subjected multiple women to horrifying sexual violence. The attacks occurred both in London and abroad in China, and detectives from the Metropolitan Police have cautioned that they have not yet identified all the women involved.
During his sentencing at Inner London Crown Court, Judge Rosina Cottage described Zou as a manipulative individual who masked his predatory behaviour behind a façade of intelligence and charm. “You planned and carried out a campaign of rape with chilling deliberation, treating victims with total disregard for their autonomy,” she remarked. The judge further noted that Zou’s crimes had left lasting trauma, stating his actions had profound and enduring consequences for all those affected.
The court heard that Zou’s offences were carefully orchestrated. He would drug his victims before carrying out attacks, while also secretly recording nine of the sexual assaults as his targets drifted into unconsciousness. In a disturbing detail revealed during the investigation, officers discovered a ‘trophy box’ of mementoes Zou had taken from the women, suggesting a calculated effort to preserve reminders of his crimes.
Of the ten women definitively assaulted by Zou, only three have been formally identified. Prosecutors expressed concern that the actual figure could extend to dozens, given the nature and scale of the case, and the presence of multiple unidentified victims in both countries. Investigators are appealing for anyone who may have encountered Zou or suffered a similar attack to come forward.
After an extensive month-long trial, Zou was convicted on 11 counts of rape—two of which involved the same victim. In addition, he was handed convictions for three offences of voyeurism, ten counts relating to the possession of extreme pornographic images, one instance of false imprisonment, and three counts of possessing a controlled drug with the intent to commit a sexual offence. Court documents confirmed the substance in question was butanediol, a chemical compound sometimes used illegally as a sedative.
Judge Cottage, reflecting on the evidence, stressed that Zou appeared to derive sexual gratification from exercising power and control over vulnerable women, describing the victims as “pieces in an elaborate game” to him. She condemned Zou’s complete lack of understanding of consent and highlighted the callousness with which he treated his victims.
Zou’s life sentence requires him to serve at least 22 years and 227 days in custody before being considered for release. The case has sparked concern among women’s safety advocates and the wider public, raising renewed calls for vigilance in university environments and greater support for survivors of sexual violence.
Authorities both in the UK and China continue to investigate whether further victims exist. Metropolitan Police have encouraged anyone with information relating to Zou or his crimes to contact them, reaffirming their commitment to supporting survivors and bringing perpetrators to justice. The sentencing sends a strong signal that such calculated and violent attacks will be met with the utmost seriousness by the courts.
The disturbing case highlights ongoing challenges in tackling sexual violence, with campaigners urging educational institutions and support services to remain vigilant and proactive in protecting students and staff. It also underscores the need for robust international cooperation in addressing cross-border offences, particularly where highly mobile individuals are concerned.