Zhenhao Zou is currently serving a life sentence after he was found guilty of drugging and raping 10 women in London and China
A convicted rapist who was described as ‘one of the most prolific offenders’ in the UK by the police could now face additional charges after several more alleged victims have come forward to detectives. Zhenhao Zou, a Chinese PHD student who had been living in London, was convicted of multiple offences, including raping and drugging 10 women, leading to a minimum sentence of 24 years.
The 28-year-old is believed to have committed the offences between September 2019 and May 2023, yet police now believe that Zou may have committed further crimes and have asked any potential victims to come forward.
The Metropolitan Police have now sent a file containing new allegations of offences, including rape and administering a substance with the intent to commit a sexual offence.
While a total of 23 women contacted the Met following the appeal, most of them did not want to pursue criminal charges, yet the charges within the recent file include allegations made by five women, as well as two further unidentified women.
Separate enquiries are currently ongoing into allegations involving women who were allegedly sexually assaulted in China, with officers working with Chinese officials to obtain evidence.
Zou is believed to have committed many of his offences while living at several addresses in London, where he was studying for his PhD, while others are believed to have been carried out in China. He was also found to have recorded many of his assaults on women.
Following a Met Investigation, police said that they believed there may have been more than 50 further victims.
As well as his rape convictions, Zou was convicted of three counts of voyeurism, one of false imprisonment, three of possession of a controlled drug with intent to commit a sexual offence and 10 of possession of an extreme pornographic image.
Detective Chief Superintendent Angela Craggs, whose team are leading the investigation, said: “I would like to thank the women who have come forward and spoken to our officers since our appeal. We recognise how difficult it can be to report offences of this nature and every woman who has contacted us has shown considerable courage.
“The submission of this file of evidence marks a significant step in our investigation. While we await a decision from the CPS in relation to allegations concerning women in the UK, our enquiries remain ongoing.
“We remain committed to supporting victim-survivors and pursuing all available lines of enquiry. I would encourage anyone who believes they may have been affected, or anyone with information that could assist our investigation, to contact us.
“Every report will be treated seriously, handled with care and sensitivity, and investigated thoroughly by specially trained officers.”
Reports can be made by emailing [email protected] or by calling 101 from within the UK, quoting CAD1258/04SEP26.
Those affected by this case who would like independent support can contact Rape Crisis via its 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line on 0808 500 2222.
