Zhenhao Zou: UCL student rapist could’ve attacked more than 60 women, Met Police says

According to the Metropolitan Police, former UCL student and convicted rapist, Zhenhao Zou, could have attacked more than 60 women.

Zou was convicted yesterday (5th March) at Inner London Crown court of 11 counts of rape against 10 women. However, the police believes the number may be much higher.

Commander Kevin Southworth, from the Metropolitan Police, spoke to the BBC about Zou, saying the 28-year-old might be “one of the most prolific sexual predators that we’ve ever seen in this country”.

He added: “We have video evidence of as many as potentially 50 further victim survivors who we are desperate to trace so that we can establish what has happened to them.”

“Such is the insidious nature of this offending, I think there is a possibility that many more victim survivors may not even know that he has raped them.”

In the Met’s investigation of Zou, officers found 1,277 videos on his electronic devices, with some showing him raping unconscious women.

In some of these videos watched by police, the victims could be seen to be sleeping and “snoring”.

They also found secret cameras in his bedroom, and Butanediol, a drug they say he used to “incapacitate” his victims.

He had also told officers that he enjoyed “rape role play”.

As well as being convicted for the rapes, Zou was also found guilty of  three counts of voyeurism, 12 counts of possession of extreme pornographic images, one count of false imprisonment and eight of possession of drugs with intent to commit a sexual offence.

Zou’s bedroom where a number of the rapes took place via Met Police

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Commander Southworth called Zou a “devious and Machiavellian individual”, adding: “He would commit those sexual assaults while they’re incapacitated and possibly even while they’re asleep and completely unaware.”

As well as the videos on his electronic devices, detectives found that whilst Zou was in China during the Covid-19 pandemic, he downloaded a manual on how to drug and rape women. One advert for the manual which police found on his phone said “effects guaranteed” with an image of sleeping, naked women.

UCL confirmed Zou was suspended on 27th January 2024 and that he’d stopped studying there “as soon we were informed about the allegations”.

The university has also released a statement saying: “We have been appalled by these horrific offences. Our thoughts are with the survivors and we wish to pay tribute to the bravery of the women who reported these crimes and gave evidence at the trial.

“The prevalence of sexual harassment, violence and abuse in society is extremely alarming and causes immense harm to victims, their families and wider communities. This case is particularly distressing and our focus is providing support for our students, alumni and staff through a range of services. These include 24/7 access to confidential support lines and access to mental health professionals including trained counsellors and psychologists. We also provide support through our partnerships with specialist organisations like Rape Crisis. We are here to support anyone at UCL who has been impacted by this case, directly or indirectly.

“We have supported the Metropolitan Police with their enquiries throughout this investigation, and we would like to thank the Police and Crown Prosecution Service for ensuring the successful prosecution of these abhorrent crimes. Following the launch of the Police appeal, we urge anyone with information related to these crimes to contact the Police via this webpage, by emailing [email protected] or calling 101, if they are comfortable doing so.

“Anyone affected at UCL can report any incidents to us through our online reporting tool and access Crime Prevention and Personal Safety support on and off campus. We will also support members of our community with reporting an incident to the Police, if they wish to do so.”

via Met Police

The Metropolitan Police has also put out an appeal to anyone who may know anything about the assaults. It has also urged victims to come forward. However, has explained that if they wish not to speak to the police, they can contact Rape Crisis who will be able to assist potential victims.

The appeal says: “If you wish to speak to Met detectives or make a report relating to Zou, you can also contact police via email on [email protected].

“You can also make a report to police by calling 101 from within the UK, quoting reference 2904/04FEB25.

“If you live in England or Wales and have been affected by this case and would like to seek support from specialist agencies, please contact the independent charity Rape Crisis via their 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line or call them on 0808 500 2222. Specially trained staff are there to listen, answer questions and offer emotional support.”

Featured image via Met Police