A Chinese doctoral student described by police as “one of the most prolific sexual predators” in the UK has been sentenced to life in prison, with a minimum term of 24 years.
Zhenhao Zou, who carried out a calculated spree of sexual violence, drugged and raped 10 women between 2019 and 2023; three in London and seven in China.
Zou’s crimes came to light following an investigation by the Metropolitan Police, who have identified only three of his victims so far.
Since the conclusion of his trial, 24 additional women have contacted police, raising fears that many more survivors may still be unidentified.
During sentencing at the Inner London Crown Court, Judge Rosina Cottage KC condemned Zou as a manipulative offender who used his intelligence and charm to conceal his predatory nature.
“You appear to the world to be a very well-to-do man. You are also a sexual predator,” she told the court.
Judge Cottage also described his actions as a “planned and deliberate campaign of rape,” highlighting how he treated women as objects for personal gratification.
She added that the emotional and psychological damage left by his crimes, has left lasting impacts on the victims. She further stated that Zou exhibited a disturbing desire for dominance, with no comprehension of consent, calling the women he assaulted “pieces in an elaborate game.”
“You told (the victims) that resistance was futile, sometimes you would be begged to stop. You sought power over them – these women you treated callously – and used them as sex toys for your pleasure.” She said.
Zou was also convicted of three counts of voyeurism, 10 of possession of an extreme pornographic image, one of false imprisonment and three of possession of a controlled drug with intent to commit a sexual offence.
It is also reported that he kept a trophy box of women’s belongings and filmed nine of the rapes, as the victims lost consciousness.
“You are a highly manipulative and intelligent young man, but you have no understanding of the meaning of consent, there is a high level of danger because of your distorted thinking. You are a risk for an indefinite period.” Judge Cottage told Zou.
