The Metropolitan Police have submitted a file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service containing new allegations of rape and administering a substance with intent to commit a sexual offence against Zhenhao Zou, a 28-year-old Chinese PhD student already serving a life sentence for drugging and raping 10 women in London and China.
Zou was convicted in a previous trial of multiple offences, including rape, voyeurism, false imprisonment, possession of a controlled drug with intent to commit a sexual offence, and possession of extreme pornographic images. He received a minimum sentence of 24 years.
Following a public appeal, 23 women contacted the Met Police. Of these, five have made allegations included in the recent file, along with two further unidentified women. Most of the other women who came forward did not wish to pursue criminal charges.
Investigation expands beyond UK
Detectives now believe Zou may have committed further crimes beyond the 10 rapes for which he was convicted. The offences for which he was found guilty occurred between September 2019 and May 2023, while he was living at several addresses in London during his PhD studies. Some offences were also carried out in China.
Separate enquiries are ongoing into allegations involving women who were allegedly sexually assaulted in China. Officers are working with Chinese officials to obtain evidence in these cases.
The Met Police have stated that following their investigation, they believe there may have been more than 50 further victims. Zou was also found to have recorded many of his assaults on women.
Police urge more victims to come forward
Detective Chief Superintendent Angela Craggs, whose team is leading the investigation, thanked the women who have come forward, saying: "We recognise how difficult it can be to report offences of this nature and every woman who has contacted us has shown considerable courage."
Craggs added: "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."
She encouraged anyone who believes they may have been affected, or anyone with information that could assist the investigation, to contact the police. Reports can be made by emailing survivors@met.police.uk or by calling 101 from within the UK, quoting CAD1258/04SEP26.
Independent support is available from Rape Crisis via its 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line on 0808 500 2222.
