Chinese PhD Student Convicted of Drugging and Raping Ten Women
A Chinese PhD student, Zhenhao Zou, was found guilty of drugging and raping ten women in the U.K. and China, with indications that over fifty other victims may exist. He employed hidden cameras to film the assaults and has been labeled as one of the most dangerous sexual offenders in U.K. history. Zou will be sentenced on June 19, and police are urging potential additional victims to come forward.
A Chinese PhD student, Zhenhao Zou, was found guilty in a London court of drugging and raping ten women, with police estimating that there may be over fifty additional victims. His conviction stems from a series of heinous acts committed between 2019 and 2023, following a monthlong trial at the Inner London Crown Court.
Zou, 28, received convictions for eleven counts of rape, including two counts related to a single victim. The jury deliberated for over nineteen hours before concluding that Zou committed three rapes in London and seven in China. The police have only managed to identify two of the victims thus far.
Zou employed hidden and handheld cameras to record the assaults, creating a disturbing collection of footage. Notably, he kept trophies from the victims, which could categorize him as one of the most dangerous sexual offenders in U.K. history. Despite his claims of consensual encounters, jurors witnessed distressing footage of the attacks during the trial, often requiring breaks.
Judge Rosina Cottage labeled Zou as a “dangerous and predatory sexual offender,” indicating that he would receive a long sentence. Additional convictions included voyeurism, possession of extreme pornographic images, and false imprisonment. Zou befriended fellow students of Chinese descent on WeChat and social dating platforms, luring them into situations where he subsequently drugged and assaulted them.
Kevin Southworth, Commander of the Metropolitan Police, commended the two women who testified against Zou, describing his actions as cowardly and deceitful. With indications that he may have attacked several more victims, the police have urged anyone who suspects they were targeted to come forward.
During the proceedings, issues regarding the quality of translation services for victims were highlighted, prompting concern for the adequacy of support provided to them. Zou began his academic journey at Queen’s University in Belfast before transferring to University College London for further studies. UCL’s president, Dr. Michael Spence, acknowledged the immense bravery of the survivors and extended thoughts to them.
Zhenhao Zou’s conviction reveals a grave case of systemic abuse, emphasizing the importance of support for victims of sexual violence. The involvement of numerous women in this case highlights the necessity for vigilant law enforcement practices and effective response mechanisms for survivors. Ultimately, Zou’s actions mark him as a particularly egregious figure in the landscape of sexual offenses, necessitating ongoing investigations to identify potential additional victims.
Original Source: apnews.com
