Serial rapist Zhenhao Zou jailed for minimum of 24 years
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Chinese student who drugged and raped 10 women in UK and China sentenced to life in prison
Zhenhao Zou, 28, was sentenced Thursday at Inner London Crown Court. Judge Rosina Cottage told him he would serve 22 years and 227 days before he was eligible for parole. Zou was found guilty in March of 11 counts of rape, one count of false imprisonment, three counts of voyeurism and a number of other offenses. Many of his victims were “unconscious and rendered defenseless” after being drugged.
Zhenhao Zou, 28, was sentenced Thursday at Inner London Crown Court. Judge Rosina Cottage told him he would serve 22 years and 227 days before he was eligible for parole, taking into account time spent on remand, according to the UK’s PA Media.
Zou was found guilty in March of 11 counts of rape, one count of false imprisonment, three counts of voyeurism and a number of other offenses, including the possession of extreme pornographic images and the possession of a controlled drug with intent to commit a sexual offense.
Many of his victims were “unconscious and rendered defenseless” after being drugged, according to prosecutors.
Police and prosecutors said Zou, who also used the name “Pakho” online, contacted students of Chinese heritage on WeChat and dating apps, inviting them to his apartments in London and China to drug and assault them. The police said he also took items from his victims, including jewelry and clothing.
The UK’s Crown Prosecution Service said Zou filmed some of the attacks using a mobile device and hidden cameras. The police said he “manipulated and drugged women in order to prey on them in the most cowardly way.”
Zou was a PhD student at University College London. He was arrested in January 2024 after one of his victims came forward to police.
Prosecutors in March said that the “courageous women who came forward to report Zhenhao Zou’s heinous crimes” had been “incredibly strong and brave” and that there was “no doubt” that their evidence had led to his convictions.
Ivana Kottasová contributed to this report.
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Judge slams ‘outrageous’ online shaming and abuse aimed at victim of serial rapist Zhenhao Zou
Zhenhao Zou, 28, was jailed for life on Thursday with a minimum term of 24 years. He raped 10 women he had drugged or plied with alcohol to render them unconscious. One of Zou’s victims posted online about the attack she suffered, realising that he had the hallmarks of a serial rapist and attempting to warn other women. But she told Inner London crown court that she deleted her online posts after receiving abuse and seeing messages that suggested the attack was her own fault. Judge Rosina Cottage KC slammed the online victim-shaming, saying: “Outrageously she was trolled on social media for having bravely warned others about you” Zou was also convicted at his trial of possessing drugs used to knock out women, voyeurism over the videos he made of the rapes, and the false imprisonment of one of the victims. He has spent nearly a year and a half in custody and will be eligible for parole in 2048.
Zhenhao Zou, 28, was jailed for life on Thursday with a minimum term in prison of 24 years for raping 10 women he had drugged or plied with alcohol to render them unconscious.
Police and prosecutors believe there are many more of Zou’s victims who have not yet been identified, making him one of the most prolific sex offenders in British history.
One of Zou’s victims posted online about the attack she suffered, realising that he had the hallmarks of a serial rapist and attempting to warn other women.
But she told Inner London crown court that she deleted her online posts after receiving abuse and seeing messages that suggested the attack was her own fault.
When sentencing Zou, Judge Rosina Cottage KC slammed the online victim-shaming, saying: “Outrageously she was trolled on social media for having bravely warned others about you.”
In her victim impact statement, the woman set out how she went to police to report the rape, but she was forced to withdraw as a witness as she struggled with her declining mental health and trauma.
“While this brought temporary relief, as I felt I had done the only thing I could, the anxiety inside me never went away”, she wrote.
“I constantly think about what happened, and I believed the perpetrator was a repeat offender.
“I was afraid he would continue to commit crimes, and felt a responsibility to warn others, while also longing for support and encouragement.
“So, I began posting about the incident on social media.
“Although many posts contained support and condemnation of the crime, which gave me some comfort, there were also many hurtful comments that caused me great pain. Some people blamed me for going to the perpetrator’s house, for drinking with him, and said that by going, I had consented.
“I could not bear these accusations and eventually deleted the posts.”
She said she battled “overwhelming” anxiety and turned to prescription medication to help her cope.
“I feared being judged by others, which added more pressure to my mental state”, she said.
“Even with the medication, I could not escape the haunting thoughts, and when I closed my eyes, I could not stop recalling what had happened.
“I experienced auditory hallucinations, I do not know whether it was due to my sleep deprivation or the stress of the situation, but I kept hearing music in my home.
“Everywhere I went I heard singing, this happened for days. I will still hearing this when police came to my address, but they told me there was no music.”
Her evidence was pivotal to Zou’s conviction at trial, and her social media posts did also help to bring Zou to justice, as another victim read her account and realised that she had endured something similar.
The women, who were both attacked while living in London, say they are “haunted” by their memories of being preyed on by Zou, with one saying his face is “etched into my soul”.
Zou was convicted after a trial of 11 counts of rape against ten women between 2019 and 2023.
In that time, he was studying for a PhD in mechanical engineering at UCL and carried out the rapes in London and his native China.
Judge Cottage said Zou, who liked watching rape porn online, had exerted control over his victims, treating them as “sex toys” in his uncaring pursuit of pleasure.
He was also convicted at his trial of possessing drugs used to knock out women, voyeurism over the videos he made of the rapes, and the false imprisonment of one of the victims.
Met Police also discovered a disturbing collection of personal possession Zou appeared to have kept of his victims.
The court heard a probation officer assessed Zou of having little insight into his offending, no knowledge of principle of consent, and an ongoing risk to women.
The officer also told the court it is believed Zou would have continued to offend if he had not been caught.
He was arrested in January 2024 and has spent nearly a year and a half in custody.
Judge Cottage concluded the serial rapist will pose a risk to women for a long time. He will be eligible for a parole hearing in early 2048, but must at that stage prove he is safe to be released.
A Chinese Ph.D. student is sentenced to at least 24 years in prison for raping multiple women
Zhenhao Zou, 28, was convicted of drugging and raping 10 women in England and China. Zou filmed nine of the attacks as “souvenirs,” and kept a “trophy box” of his victims’ belongings. At least 24 women have come forward with new allegations as a result of the publicity surrounding his trial. Taken together, the cases would make him one of the worst sex offenders in U.K. history. He was handed a life sentence and must serve a minimum of 24 years in prison.
A British judge on Thursday sentenced a Chinese Ph.D. student to a minimum of 24 years in prison for drugging and raping 10 women in England and China.
Zhenhao Zou, 28, was convicted of the attacks, which took place between 2019 and 2023, during a four-week trial earlier this year at Inner London Crown Court.
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Judge Rosina Cottage on Thursday described Zou as “very bright young man” who used a manipulative “charming mask” to hide that he is a “sexual predator.”
An undated photo issued March 5 of Zhenhao Zou. (Metropolitan Police via AP)
Zou was studying for a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering at University College London in 2023 when the first woman came forward to allege that he had raped her. As part of the investigation, police seized Zou’s phone, on which they found videos of him raping unconscious women. A search of his apartment in south London turned up sedatives and recording equipment.
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The investigation into Zou’s crimes continues, and at least 24 women have come forward with new allegations as a result of the publicity surrounding his trial, London’s Metropolitan Police Service said. Taken together, the cases would make him one of the worst sex offenders in U.K. history.
Zou, who also used the name Pakho online, befriended fellow students of Chinese heritage on dating apps and WeChat, before inviting them for drinks and drugging them at his apartments in London or an unknown location in China.
Using hidden or handheld cameras, Zou filmed nine of the attacks as “souvenirs,” and he kept a “trophy box” of his victims’ belongings, according to evidence presented at trial.
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Zou, who claimed the encounters were consensual, was also convicted of three counts of voyeurism, 10 of possessing an extreme pornographic image, one of false imprisonment and three of possessing a controlled drug with intent to commit a sexual offense.
He was handed a life sentence and must serve a minimum of 24 years in prison.
Prosecutor Saira Pike praised the victims who came forward to report Zou’s “horrific crimes.”
“They have been incredibly strong and brave,” Pike said. “There is no doubt that their evidence helped us to secure his conviction, and the life sentence handed to him today.”
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Kirka writes for the Associated Press.
Mirror Daily Digest: Today’s top stories from serial rapist jailed to reason Kate missed Ascot
Mirror Daily Digest: Today’s top stories from serial rapist jailed to reason Kate missed Ascot. This Thursday, we’re featuring everything from the PhD student who was sentenced for raping and drugging 10 women to Buckingham Palace’s explanation for Kate’s Ascot absence. Temperatures hit 32.2C this afternoon, according to the Met Office’s latest weather forecast. Scorching temperatures are also expected tomorrow (33C) and on Saturday (34C) – absolutely smashing the threshold for an official heatwave in England. UKHSA has upgraded its heat health alerts across England to amber, meaning there is a risk to vulnerable people. Kyle Walker reveals her nightmare experience with social services over trolls on Lauryn Goodman’s website. The reality TV star has faced savage slurs from what she dubs ‘keyboard warriors’ and has faced a barrage of abuse on her Twitter account. And we reveal the real reason why the Princess of Wales missed Royal Ascot yesterday, as Buckingham Palace set the record straight with an explanation.
In this Thursday’s Mirror Daily Digest, we’ve pulled together the biggest stories of the day from a serial rapist being sentenced to the real reason Kate Middleton missed Ascot yesterday.
Welcome to the Mirror’s Daily Digest, where we pull together all the best stories of the day from our News, Showbiz, Sport teams and more. This Thursday, we’re featuring everything from the PhD student who was sentenced for raping and drugging 10 women to Buckingham Palace’s explanation for Kate’s Ascot absence and the hottest day of the year being declared.
This afternoon, serial rapist Chinese PhD student Zhenhao Zou, 28, was sentenced to life with a minimum term of 24 years after raping and drugging 10 women. Elsewhere, Buckingham Palace set the record straight on Kate’s Ascot absence and the Met Office has declared this Thursday the hottest day of the year so far.
PhD student who drugged and raped 10 women jailed for life
Zhenhao Zou, 28, was found guilty of raping and drugging 10 women (Image: PA )
This afternoon, our news team was in court as Zhenhao Zou, 28, was sentenced after being found guilty of raping and drugging 10 women and filming several of the disgusting attacks. The serial rapist Chinese PhD student has been sentenced to life with a minimum term of 24 years.
Zhenhao Zou, 28, attacked women in London and China between 2019 and 2023. The vile criminal filmed nine of the sexual assaults as “souvenirs”, and kept a trophy box of women’s belongings. He lured young women back to his plush properties, plied them with a cocktail of drink and drugs before attacking them and filming it on hidden spy cameras.
Zou, who was found guilty on March 5, was sentenced at Inner London Crown Court. He will spend 22 years and 227 days in prison before he could leave on parole, taking the number of days he has already spent in prison into account – meaning the 28-year-old cannot be released from jail before 2048.
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Read the full story here.
Palace sets record straight with explanation on Kate’s absence at Royal Ascot
Kate Middleton pulled out of an appearance (Image: Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror )
Following Kate’s shock absence from Royal Ascot yesterday, Buckingham Palace has set the record straight with an explanation for why the Princess of Wales missed the event. Kate’s absence left Prince William to attend the event solo, joining King Charles and Queen Camilla in the first carriage of the procession.
Kate’s sudden absence surprised many people, given the fact that her name had already been printed in the day two programme and shared by the Royal Ascot social media accounts. However, the Palace soon clarified that Kate’s non-attendance at the event was the result of a “miscommunication”.
The confusion began when the Royal Ascot X and Instagram pages, seeming to confirm that Princess Kate would be riding in the first carriage alongside King Charles, Queen Camilla and Prince William. However, just moments later, Kensington Palace issued a statement saying Kate would not be coming.
Read the full story here.
Hottest day of year declared – but Met Office predicts tomorrow will be warmer
Scorching temperatures are also expected tomorrow (Image: WXCHARTS )
In news that won’t come as a surprise to anybody in the UK, the Met Office has declared this Thursday the hottest day of 2025 so far. Temperatures hit 32.2C this afternoon, according to the Met Office’s latest weather forecast.
However, Scorching temperatures are also expected tomorrow (33C) and on Saturday (34C) – absolutely smashing the threshold for an official heatwave in England. The roasting conditions led the UKHSA to upgrade its heat health alerts across England to amber, meaning there is a risk of death to vulnerable people.
The new highest temperature of 2025 was recorded in Wisley, Surrey, days after the record was last broken when Santon Downham in Suffolk hit 29.4C.
Read the full story here.
Lauryn Goodman reveals calls from social services over Kyle Walker children
The reality TV star has faced savage slurs from what she dubs “keyboard warriors” (Image: lauryngoodman91/instagram )
This morning, our Showbiz team broke the shocking story that trolls ‘called social services on Lauryn Goodman children with Kyle Walker’. The star shared her nightmare experience with a notorious gossip website.
The reality TV personality, 34, has faced savage slurs from what she dubs “keyboard warriors” on “toxic” site Tattle Life. The website has seen influencers and celebrities’ private and intimate information posted and gossip to be spread about them.
Tattle Life allows for members to post anonymously about anyone and anything they want, which has led to some heartbreaking consequences for those written about including businesses ruined and some even resorting to self-harm. Among those talked about on the site include Katie Price, Alice Evans, Stacey Solomon and Molly-Mae Hague.
Read the full story here.
World’s biggest shark tracker live as 14ft monster mapped after
Contender can be tracked
“Contender”, the world’s largest great white shark, is being tracked by scientists at OCEARCH. According to experts, the massive predator could visit many places in the Northeastern US and Canada, including some tourist hotspots. Although there are “two primary locations” where he might be spotted in the summer.
Scientists at OCEARCH, a non-profit organisation that researches large marine animals, have been tracking “Contender”, the 30-year-old adult male shark, since January. The predator was first tagged in the North Atlantic, 45 miles off the Florida-Georgia coast. The beast is a staggering 13ft and 9 inches long and estimated to weigh a whopping 1653 lbs.
It took six people, including three fishermen and scientists, to tag and release “Contender”, which is then electronically tracked through the Argos satellite system, according to Dr Harley Newton, OCEARCH Chief Scientist & Veterinarian.
Read the full story here.
Former PhD student Zhenhao Zou is jailed for at least 24 years for raping 10 women in London and China
Zhenhao Zou, 28, was sentenced for raping 10 women in London and China. He was also sentenced for offences including voyeurism, possession of extreme pornographic images, and false imprisonment between 2019 and 2024. Only three of Zou’s 10 victims have been identified. Police believe there are potentially 50 more victims.
Ben Hatton
Live reporter
That’s how Zhenhao Zou was described by a Met Police detective inspector after the 28-year-old Chinese national was sentenced for raping 10 women in London and China.
He was also sentenced for offences including voyeurism, possession of extreme pornographic images, and false imprisonment between 2019 and 2024.
Given the nature of his crimes, this page contains distressing details.
Only three of Zou’s 10 victims have been identified. The former PhD student at University College London filmed his crimes, and police believe there are potentially 50 more victims.
The court heard today that 24 further complainants have come forward since his conviction and further charges are expected – police today issued a fresh appeal for victims to contact them.
Judge Rosina Cottage described Zou as a bright young man who used a “charming mask” to carry out “a campaign of rape”.
Zou is a “sexual predator” who did not appear to show genuine remorse and displayed “no understanding of the meaning of consent”, the judge said, saying he posed a risk for an “indefinite period”.
She sentenced him to life with a minimum term of 24 years.
We are ending our live coverage now, you can read more in our news story.