Chinese PhD Student Jailed for Life

Zhenhao Zou, a 28-year-old Chinese PhD student at University College London, has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 24 years for drugging and raping 10 women across London and China between 2019 and 2023. The sentence was handed down by Judge Rosina Cottage at Inner London Crown Court on June 19, 2025.

Zou, who used the online name Pakho, targeted mostly fellow Chinese students through dating apps and WeChat, inviting them to his apartments where he drugged them with sedatives such as 1,4-Butanediol before sexually assaulting them while unconscious. He secretly filmed at least nine of the assaults and kept a “trophy box” of his victims’ belongings.

The investigation began in late 2023 after a victim reported an attack. Police found disturbing videos, sedatives, and recording equipment in Zou’s south London apartment. Evidence revealed 28 offenses including 11 counts of rape, voyeurism, possession of extreme pornographic images, false imprisonment, and possession of drugs with intent to commit sexual offenses.

Judge Cottage described Zou as a “very bright young man” who hid his predatory nature behind a “charming mask” and said he showed a disturbing “sexual interest in power and control,” treating victims as “objects for his own gratification” with devastating effects.

ADVERTISEMENT

Since the trial, at least 24 more women have come forward with allegations, and police suspect there may be around 50 additional victims, potentially making Zou one of the most prolific sex offenders in UK history.

Prosecutor Saira Pike commended the victims for their bravery, stating their testimony was crucial in securing the conviction and life sentence.