Britain’s Worst Rapist: China PhD Student Drugged and Raped Over 60 Women in 5 Years

Zhenhao Zou, a 28-year-old Chinese man, was pursuing a PhD in engineering at University College London (UCL) when he was revealed as a serial rapist. Zou resided on the 39th floor of a luxurious London apartment, where he was regarded as a charming gentleman by most people. But his nature was much worse. Zou has been found guilty of raping and drugging 10 women, with police estimating that he might have attacked more than 50 other women, making him Britain’s most prolific rapist.

Who was Zhenhao Zou?

Zou was born in Guangdong Province, China, and immigrated to Northern Ireland at the age of 20 to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering at Queen’s University, Belfast. Upon the completion of his undergraduate studies, he relocated to London in 2019 to study for a master’s degree at UCL. During his time in London, Zou’s social life was centered on nightclubs and the Chinese community, and it was here that he started using drugs such as ketamine, ecstasy, and cocaine. He would frequently pick up women from dating sites, invite them to his flat, and rape them after spiking them with drugs.

Zou’s Obsession with Pornography

While under investigation, Zou divulged his inclination towards extreme pornography, such as ‘time-stop’ videos in which women seemed passive and insensate during sex. Zou indicated that he preferred the kind of content in which he got aroused to see women remaining still and quiet during sex. This was his inclination, which translated into action as he used to drug his victims to leave them unconscious.

Details of the Investigation

The inquiry into Zou started in 2023 after a woman reported being raped in Zou’s student flat. Detectives later found horrific evidence, including recordings of Zou raping unconscious women. Zou had videos recording women waking up while being assaulted, some of them even pleading with him to stop. One such video captured Zou dismissing a victim’s plea, saying, “Don’t push me, it’s pointless… The sound insulation here is very good.” Police found large amounts of alcohol, ecstasy, and a chemical that turns into GHB (a date rape drug) in Zou’s flat.

Trophy Box of Victims’ Items

Investigations also revealed a box of personal belongings of Zou’s victims that he had referred to as ‘lost property’. Prosecutors charged that the box was a ‘trophy box’ with memorabilia of his victims. Police believe that, apart from the 10 women Zou was convicted of attacking, more than 50 other women may have been victims of his predatory advances.

Testimonies of Victims

A number of women gave evidence against Zou in the trial. One of the women stated she had met him in 2021 at a restaurant, after which she got drunk and woke up to realize he was raping her. Zou then said that he believed she was aware at that time. One victim told how Zou mocked her after raping her, telling her, “It really hurts.” Several of the videos of the victims had them clearly distressed and powerless to resist as a result of the drugs that Zou had administered.

The investigation was Scotland Yard’s most sophisticated, with police sifting through millions of WeChat messages and reviewing more than 1,600 hours of video. The police suspect Zou’s offenses were committed in both the UK and China, with most of his victims not knowing they were attacked because of the drugs administered. Detective Chief Inspector Richard Mackenzie stated the challenges in dealing with such cases and promised that any additional reports would be handled with sensitivity and care.

Zou’s Convictions

On March 5, Zou was found guilty of drugging and raping 10 women in England and China. He was also convicted of several counts of voyeurism, possession of extreme pornography, false imprisonment, and possession of drugs with intent to commit sexual offences. Zou is now among some of Britain’s most infamous sexual predators, along with Reynhard Sinaga and John Worboys.

Prosecutor Catherine Farrelly KC called Zou ‘a tenacious sexual predator, a voyeur, and a rapist’, adding that he was ‘a wolf in sheep’s clothing’. Zou’s abhorrent behavior has left a trail of trauma, and officials continue to urge victims to come forward and receive support and counseling.