Convicted rapist, Zhenhao Zou. Credit: Metropolitan Police
A Chinese PhD student who drugged and raped at least 10 women across London and China has been sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 24 years, following a harrowing trial that exposed the scale of his abuse.
Zhenhao Zou, 28, was convicted at Inner London Crown Court on Thursday, June 19, of rape, alongside multiple charges including voyeurism, false imprisonment, and possession of sedative drugs with intent to commit sexual offences. His sentencing follows a month-long trial which uncovered shocking footage of the assaults, with Metropolitan Police stating they fear as many as 24 more women may have been targeted.
Zhenhao Zou asks for chemical castration
The court heard how Zou, who had studied at Queen’s University Belfast and later at University College London, lured fellow Chinese students via WeChat and dating apps before drugging and raping them in his flats in London or at unknown locations in China.
Zou, described by prosecutors as “a persistent sexual predator, a voyeur and a rapist”, had offered to be chemically castrated in an attempt to reduce his sentence. But this was dismissed due to the severity of harm caused to his victims.
Zhenhao Zou’s victims haunted by trauma and fear
Three of Zou’s ten victims were identified, and their devastating victim impact statements were read out in court. One woman, raped in May 2023 at his Elephant and Castle flat, wrote:
“I have lost faith in human beings, I have no trust in others… When I meet with strangers, I get flashbacks of what he did.”
She also expressed deep fear of Zou’s “very powerful” family in China.
Another victim, who was raped while unconscious in October 2021 in Russell Square, stated: “I opened my eyes for a few seconds during the sexual assault… I was completely powerless… His face, his expression – they will never leave me. I will never forgive him.”
A third woman, known as Female D, said she was “trapped in self-blame” and “gagged by shame”, adding she was “haunted” by nightmares. (Cited by LBC.)
Police launched an investigation after a woman came forward in November 2023. Though her case lacked sufficient evidence, the contents of Zou’s seized phone revealed a trophy box, recordings of the rapes, and traces of the sedative drug butanediol in his flat.
Following media coverage of the trial, more than 20 women came forward to say they believed they may also have been victims of Zou. Prosecutors revealed that only three victims were formally identified, but fear the true number is much higher.
Zou, who lived a lavish lifestyle thanks to his wealthy background – including a Rolex, designer clothes, and cosmetic surgery – was hiding behind the image of a “smart and charming young man,” prosecutors said.
The scale and brutality of the case have shocked communities in both the UK and China. Despite Zou’s life sentence, many are questioning how he was able to evade suspicion for so long – especially given the volume of disturbing evidence eventually uncovered.
Chemical castration
Zou’s offer of chemical castration has reignited debate over whether it should be part of sentencing for violent sex offenders. The process involves hormone-altering drugs to reduce libido, and is already used voluntarily in some countries such as Indonesia and Pakistan.
Should a rapist be able to negotiate down a life sentence by offering up his libido? Or is the very suggestion an insult to victims who will live with their trauma forever?
View all world news.
