A 28-year-old Chinese doctoral student has been sentenced to a minimum of 24 years in prison by a British judge after being convicted of drugging and raping multiple women over a four-year period spanning England and China.
Zhenhao Zou, who was studying mechanical engineering at University College London (UCL) in 2023 when the first allegation surfaced, received the lengthy sentence on Thursday, June 19, 2025, at Inner London Crown Court. The court heard details of a predatory campaign targeting at least 10 women between 2019 and 2023.
Trial and Conviction
Zou, who also used the online alias Pakho, was convicted earlier this year following a four-week trial. The prosecution presented compelling evidence detailing how Zou systematically targeted his victims, using sedatives to incapacitate them before carrying out the assaults.
The scale and nature of his crimes became clearer during the extensive investigation led by the Metropolitan Police Service. Detectives uncovered disturbing evidence, including videos of Zou raping unconscious women found on his mobile phone. A search of his apartment in south London also yielded significant findings, including sedatives and recording equipment, indicating careful planning and documentation of his offenses.
Judge’s Stern Words
During sentencing, Judge Rosina Cottage delivered a scathing assessment of Zou’s character and actions. Despite acknowledging that Zou was a “very bright young man,” the judge condemned his manipulative behavior, stating he used a “charming mask” to hide his true nature. Judge Cottage unequivocally described Zou as a “sexual predator,” emphasizing the severity and calculated nature of his crimes and the devastating impact on his victims.
The sentence of a minimum of 24 years reflects the gravity of the offenses and the court’s determination to protect the public from such serious harm. Under British law, a minimum term signifies the period a convicted individual must serve before being considered for parole. Zou will only be released if the Parole Board is satisfied he no longer poses a risk to the public, a decision that would typically involve stringent conditions.
Ongoing Investigation and New Allegations
The conviction and subsequent publicity surrounding the trial have led to a significant development in the case. The Metropolitan Police Service confirmed that their investigation remains ongoing and that at least 24 additional women have come forward with new allegations since the trial concluded and its details became widely known. This suggests the scope of Zou’s predatory activities may be far wider than the offenses for which he was initially convicted.
The police have urged anyone with further information or who believes they may have been a victim to come forward. The scale of the new allegations underscores the potential long-term impact of Zou’s actions and highlights the challenges in uncovering and prosecuting cases involving drugging and sexual assault, which often occur in private and may go unreported for years.
Broader Implications
The case has drawn attention due to the perpetrator’s status as a foreign student attending a prestigious UK university and the transnational nature of the crimes, occurring in both England and China. It highlights the complexities faced by law enforcement agencies in investigating offenses that cross international borders and involve victims and perpetrators from different jurisdictions.
The sentencing brings a degree of closure for the 10 women whose suffering was detailed during the trial, but the emergence of dozens of new allegations indicates that the legal process related to Zhenhao Zou’s actions may not yet be fully concluded. The Metropolitan Police continue their work to investigate these further claims.
