PhD student convicted as one of UK’s most prolific predators

A PhD student at University College London (UCL) has been convicted of drugging and raping 10 women, with investigators warning that he may be among the most prolific sexual predators in the UK. Chinese national Zhenhao Zou, 28, was found guilty at Inner London Crown Court, with the lead detective on the case suggesting that there could be many more victims yet to be identified.

Zou, who moved to the UK from China to pursue higher education, filmed nine of the assaults and kept a collection of trophies, including jewelry and clothing taken from his victims. His trial revealed that he targeted women over a span of five years, from 2019 to 2024. Authorities believe that there could be as many as 50 additional victims, as many of the attacks were carried out while the women were unconscious or semi-conscious due to being drugged.

Investigators uncovered hidden cameras in Zou’s bedroom, along with ecstasy and an industrial chemical that converts into the ‘date-rape’ drug GHB inside the human body. The Metropolitan Police Commander Kevin Southworth said that due to the nature of the offences, many victims may not even be aware they were assaulted. Since the trial and subsequent media coverage, one woman has already come forward, further substantiating concerns that many more cases remain undiscovered.

Zou was convicted on 11 counts of rape, as well as voyeurism, possession of extreme pornographic images, and false imprisonment. His sentencing is scheduled for 19 June, with Judge Rosina Cottage describing him as a dangerous and predatory offender who will face a lengthy prison term.

Seven of the documented rapes occurred in China, with video evidence presented in court showing Zou assaulting unconscious or semi-conscious women. Despite the victims in these instances never being identified, UK law allowed prosecutors to charge him for crimes committed abroad, as they were also illegal under Chinese law.

Four of the rapes took place in London, with two women coming forward to provide testimony. The other two cases involved the same woman, but police have not yet been able to locate her. Some of the assaults were filmed at Zou’s residences in Bloomsbury and Elephant and Castle, while others took place in unknown locations in China.

During the trial, jurors were required to watch footage of nine of the rapes, leading to visible distress among court attendees. Regular breaks were provided due to the harrowing nature of the evidence.

Zou, who comes from a wealthy background, lived a life of luxury while in the UK. He paid £4,000 per month in rent, owned a Rolex watch, and had a wardrobe filled with designer clothing. He also underwent cosmetic procedures, including a hair transplant and facial surgery.

He moved to Belfast in 2017 to study at Queen’s University, later relocating to London in 2019 to pursue a master’s degree and PhD at UCL. Throughout the trial, Zou attempted to defend himself by claiming that some of the women he filmed had consented to role play scenarios, but this was rejected by the court.

As the Metropolitan Police continues its investigation, authorities remain committed to identifying and supporting additional victims who may have been harmed by Zou.