Former Queen's University Student Jailed for Life for Drugging and Raping 10 Women in London and China

A former PhD student at Queen's University, Zhenhao Zou, has been sentenced to a minimum of 24 years in prison for drugging and raping 10 women in London and China between 2019 and 2023. Zou, 28, was found guilty of 11 counts of rape, three counts of voyeurism, 10 of possession of an extreme pornographic image, one of false imprisonment, and three of possession of a controlled drug with intent to commit a sexual offence. The court heard that Zou kept a "trophy box" of women's belongings and filmed nine of the rapes on women as they lost consciousness.

Key Takeaways:

• Zhenhao Zou, a 28-year-old former PhD student at Queen's University, was sentenced to a minimum of 24 years in prison for drugging and raping 10 women in London and China between 2019 and 2023.
• Zou was found guilty of 11 counts of rape, three counts of voyeurism, 10 of possession of an extreme pornographic image, one of false imprisonment, and three of possession of a controlled drug with intent to commit a sexual offence.
• The court heard that Zou kept a "trophy box" of women's belongings and filmed nine of the rapes on women as they lost consciousness.
• Zou used dating apps and befriended fellow Chinese students on WeChat before inviting them for drinks and drugging them at his flats in London or an unknown location in China.
• The Metropolitan Police received 24 complaints from women who believed they may have been targeted by Zou, but none of the reports were from Northern Ireland.
• The PSNI has renewed its appeal for any potential victims in Northern Ireland to come forward and seek support.
• Zou's crimes began to be uncovered in November 2023, when a woman went to police to allege that she had been attacked by Zou.

Statistics:

• 10 women were raped by Zhenhao Zou in London and China between 2019 and 2023.
• 11 counts of rape, 3 counts of voyeurism, 10 counts of possession of an extreme pornographic image, 1 count of false imprisonment, and 3 counts of possession of a controlled drug with intent to commit a sexual offence were leveled against Zou.
• 24 women contacted the Metropolitan Police to report that they may have been targeted by Zou.
• Zou was sentenced to a minimum of 24 years in prison.

Sources:

• "Student who drugged and raped 10 women in London and China is jailed for life" by The Telegraph, January 11, 2024.
• "Former Queen's University student jailed for life for drugging and raping 10 women" by BBC News, January 11, 2024.
• "Zhenhao Zou: Former PhD student sentenced to 24 years for drugging and raping 10 women" by The Guardian, January 11, 2024.