Serial Rapist Jailed For Life: Zhenhao Zou Targeted Women Across Two Continents
A Chinese national and former PhD student has been sentenced to life imprisonment for a series of horrific rapes and other sexual offenses committed against at least 10 women in both the UK and China. Zhenhao Zou, 28, was described by detectives as “one of the most prolific predators” the Metropolitan Police has ever encountered.
Sentenced at Inner London Crown Court, Zou received a life term with a minimum of 24 years to serve before being considered for parole. Accounting for time spent on remand, he will serve a minimum of approximately 22 years and 227 days in a UK prison.
A ‘Charming Mask’ Hiding a Sexual Predator
Between September 2019 and May 2024, Zou drugged and raped women he targeted, primarily fellow Chinese students. He was convicted of 28 offenses in total, including 11 counts of rape (with two against a single victim), three counts of voyeurism, ten counts of possessing extreme pornographic images, one count of false imprisonment, and three counts of possessing controlled drugs with intent to commit a sexual offence.
Judge Rosina Cottage KC, who presided over the case, noted Zou’s seemingly respectable facade. “You appear to the world to be a very well-to-do man,” she told him during sentencing, adding that he used a manipulative “charming mask” to conceal his true nature as a “sexual predator.” She found he had “planned and executed a campaign of rape,” treating the women “callously” and using them as “sex toys” for his own gratification.
Meticulous Planning and Horrific Execution
Investigators uncovered extensive evidence revealing Zou’s disturbing methods. He used social media platforms and dating apps, sometimes under the alias ‘Pakho,’ to befriend young women. He would lure them to his flat in Elephant and Castle, south-east London – a luxury apartment reportedly rented for £4,000 a month – under the guise of studying together or having drinks.
Once they were in his flat, Zou drugged his victims, often manipulating them into drinking excessive amounts of alcohol laced with sedatives. Police analysis of an “unprecedented amount of footage and web chats” showed his meticulous planning and “horrific execution” of the attacks.
A key piece of evidence was the vast amount of video footage discovered by police. Zou filmed nine of the rapes using hidden or handheld cameras, often capturing the women as they lost consciousness. He filmed 58 rape videos in total, among 1,664 hours of footage found, referring to the recordings as “souvenirs.” He also kept a “trophy box” containing belongings taken from his victims. The judge noted that the court found the videos “extremely distressing,” with some who watched them weeping.
In court, Zou admitted watching extreme pornography depicting unconscious women being raped, stating he preferred such content because the women appeared “still and quiet.” He was also described as ignoring victims’ pleas to stop during the assaults, telling them “resistance was futile,” and at times treating them like “ragdolls.”
The Scale of the Crime and Ongoing Appeal
While Zou was convicted of raping 10 women, police believe the true number of victims could be significantly higher. Detectives feared he could have targeted dozens more, potentially exceeding 60 women, given the volume of footage found. Since publicity surrounding his trial and conviction, 24 additional women have bravely come forward with new allegations, and further charges are expected.
The Metropolitan Police and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) have issued a fresh international appeal, urging anyone in the UK or China who believes they may have been a victim of Zou to come forward. Commander Kevin Southworth from the Met Police expressed hope that the sentence would offer some comfort to the women who have suffered immeasurably, while reiterating that the investigation remains open.
Devastating and Long-Term Effects
Victim impact statements read in court detailed the profound and lasting trauma caused by Zou’s actions. One woman, raped after being forced to drink excessive alcohol, described the attack as having “deeply affected” her personality, causing her to lose faith and trust in others and experience flashbacks when meeting strangers. “Before this incident, I was not aware that a human could do such evil things,” she wrote.
Another identified victim, raped while unconscious in his flat, stated, “what happened that night is etched into my soul forever. His face, his expression – they will never leave me. I will never forgive him.” Other victims reported physical pain, migraines, mental health deterioration, and one faced “outrageous trolling on social media” after trying to warn others.
Judge Cottage described Zou as a “highly manipulative and intelligent young man” with “distorted thinking” and an “abiding sexual interest in asserting power and control over women.” She concluded he poses a high level of danger and is a risk for an “indefinite period,” classifying the offences into the “highest category” of seriousness. His life sentence means he will remain on license for the rest of his life, subject to recall to prison if deemed a risk, even after serving his minimum term.
Saira Pike of the CPS described Zou as a “serial rapist and a danger to women,” stating that his life sentence reflects his “heinous acts.” She thanked the courageous women whose evidence helped secure his conviction, calling them “incredibly strong and brave.”
The investigation into Zhenhao Zou’s crimes is ongoing as authorities work to identify and support potentially many more victims across two countries.
Warning: This article contains distressing details.*
