BREAKING: UK court sentences Chinese student to Life for raping over 50 women

A Chinese doctoral student has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 24 years for a series of deliberate, premeditated rapes and sexual assaults against women in both the United Kingdom and China.

Zhenhao Zou, 28, was convicted by a London court in March of 28 separate offences, including 11 counts of rape, sexual assault, voyeurism, and possession of indecent images.

The sentencing took place at Inner London Crown Court on Thursday, June 19, 2025.

Judge Rosina Cottage condemned Zou’s actions as calculated, abusive, and driven by total disregard for human dignity.

“You are a highly manipulative and intelligent young man,” the judge told him. “You gave no thought to the wishes, consent, or pain of the women you targeted.”

Predatory Modus Operandi

Zou arrived in the UK in 2017 from Dongguan, Guangdong Province, and enrolled in a PhD program at University College London in 2019.

During this time, he used dating apps, social platforms, and academic networks to contact women, often posing as a fellow student or friend.

Once trust was gained, he would invite them to his home in South London under the pretext of studying, dating, or having a casual drink.

Once they arrived, Zou secretly administered sedatives or controlled substances into their drinks, rendering the women unconscious.

He would then proceed to rape and sexually assault them, frequently recording the acts on hidden cameras without their knowledge or consent.

Detectives found he had also kept items from his victims, including clothing, underwear, jewelry, and handbags — suggesting trophy-taking behavior common in serial sexual offenders.

Massive Digital Archive of Abuse

Zou was arrested after one victim came forward. Upon search of his home, police uncovered a horrifying trove of evidence:

• Hidden cameras embedded in household items
• Packets of illegal sedatives
• Hundreds of video recordings of sexual assaults
• Over 2 million messages and chats recovered from his phones and laptops

The content revealed that Zou had committed similar attacks in China, some as far back as 2016, during visits home or study trips abroad.

His digital files were meticulously organized, showing repeat offending patterns, victim tracking, and strategies for avoiding detection.

Investigators Believe Over 50 Victims

Detective Inspector Richard MacKenzie, of the Metropolitan Police, described Zou as one of the most prolific sexual predators the UK has ever encountered.

“The scale of his offending, the planning, the deception — it’s horrifying. And we believe there are at least 50 more victims,” MacKenzie said outside court.

Most victims were unaware they had even been assaulted until contacted by police during the investigation.

Authorities are continuing to work with Interpol and Chinese police to identify possible additional victims abroad.

No Remorse, No Apology

Zou refused to address the court during sentencing and showed no remorse for his actions.

He remained silent as the judge outlined the psychological trauma inflicted on multiple victims, some of whom still suffer panic attacks, dissociation, and suicidal thoughts.

Judge Cottage concluded that Zou posed a long-term danger to women, stating:

“This was not impulsive behavior. This was systemic, sustained, and deeply dangerous.”

Zou will serve at least 24 years in prison before being considered for parole. He may be deported to China after serving his sentence.

Authorities urge any woman who may have interacted with Zou, especially between 2016 and 2023, to contact local police.

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