According to reports by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) on September 7, a serial rapist, referred to by police as one of the most rampant sex offenders in the UK, may face further prosecution due to seven women filing new accusations and transferring the case to the prosecution.
On March 5, 2025, Dr. Zhenhao Zou, a doctor from the UK, was sentenced to life imprisonment in the UK for administering drugs in London and China between September 2019 and May 2023, and committing rape against 10 women. He will be eligible for parole only after serving at least 24 years of imprisonment.
Public information shows that Zou Zhenhao, male, Chinese citizen, born in 1997, from Dongguan, Guangdong. He went to Queen's University in Belfast in the UK in 2017, moved to London in 2019, and obtained a Master of Engineering degree from University College London (UCL) two years later. Since then, he has been pursuing a PhD degree.
The clues to this case began on November 18, 2023. On that day, a Chinese woman went to the Metropolitan Police Department in London and filed charges of rape against a man named Zou Zhenhao. Just two days later, the suspect left the country and returned to China. However, he entered the UK again in January 2024. When he returned to his rented apartment, he was arrested on the spot by the waiting police.
The search results indicated that the apartment contained multiple miniature cameras, several doses of drugs, and 58 videos documenting incidents of sexual assault. The victims in the videos were mostly young Chinese-American women. The police noted that Zou Zhenhao’s modus operandi was highly consistent: he would approach his targets under the pretext of drinking social drinks, then secretly administer drugs, and finally commit crimes within his residence.
During the investigation, British police believe that Zou Zhenhao has committed further crimes. Therefore, they are calling on potential victims to come forward. After collecting new evidence, the Metropolitan Police Service has handed over documents containing these new sexual offenses to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), which will decide whether to make further accusations.
According to the Metropolitan Police Department in London, this new document contains evidence of several suspected criminal acts, including rape and the use of drugs for the purpose of committing sexual crimes.
Zou Zhenhao was arrested in his apartment in London; footage from the police camera at the time of the arrest is shown in the video screenshot.
British police said the allegations involve several rape cases: five of these cases were reported by women after a public appeal from the police, and two victims’ identities are unknown. Police added that a total of 23 women contacted the police after the appeal, but most of them “did not want criminal charges pressed.”
The Metropolitan Police Department stated that investigations are still underway regarding the allegations against Zou Zhenhao in China for allegedly harming women. Police officers are obtaining relevant evidence from Chinese authorities.
It is reported that many of Zou Zhenhao’s crimes occurred during his doctoral studies in London. These crimes involved multiple residences. In addition, several crimes were committed in China.
In addition to rape, Zou Zhenhao was also convicted of three counts of peeping Tom, ten counts of possession of extreme pornographic images, one count of illegal restraint, and three counts of possession of controlled substances for the purpose of sexual assault.
Surveys have found that Zou Zhenhao filmed many scenes involving abuse of women, and the identities of most of the victims have not been confirmed.
British police, after their investigation, stated that they believe there may be as many as 50 other victims, and described him as 'one of the most rampant sex offenders in British history'.
The Metropolitan Police Department stated that investigators will continue to maintain contact with the Royal Prosecution Office, and the prosecution will review the new evidence. The police also said they will strive to provide support for any potential victims and will stand up for justice on their behalf.