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Serial Rapist Zhenhao Zou Sentenced to Life for Drugging and Raping 10 Women

Detectives have renewed their appeal for unidentified women to contact authorities as the inquiry into potential further victims remains open.

Undated handout photo issued by the Metropolitan Police of Chinese PhD student Zhenhao Zou, 28, who could be one of the UK’s worst sex offenders, is due to be sentenced for drugging and raping 10 women in London and China. Zhenhao was convicted of the harrowing attacks involving two women who have been identified and another eight who have yet to be traced. Issue date: Thursday June 19, 2025. PA Photo. He kept a trophy box of women’s belongings and filmed nine of the attacks, with jurors in the case forced to watch the disturbing footage. See PA story COURTS Zou. Photo credit should read: Metropolitan Police/PA Wire 

NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.
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Overview

  • Zou was convicted of 28 offences by an Inner London Crown Court in March, including 11 counts of rape, three counts of voyeurism and one count of false imprisonment.
  • Police seized hundreds of hours of footage showing nine assaults filmed with hidden cameras and uncovered a box of trophies containing victims’ personal items.
  • Prosecutors outlined how Zou used WeChat and dating apps to befriend victims before luring them to his flats in London and China and drugging them with sedatives.
  • Judge Rosina Cottage described him as a “highly manipulative and intelligent” predator who showed no regard for his victims’ welfare and ordered a minimum term of 24 years.
  • Commander Kevin Southworth said police suspect Zou may have attacked more than 50 women and praised the over 20 who have since come forward to help with the ongoing investigation.