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Another 23 women say they were raped by PhD student

The Independent

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April 02, 2025

Another 23 women say they have been raped by a Chinese PhD student feared to be one of the country’s most prolific sexual predators.

- AMY-CLARE MARTIN

Another 23 women say they were raped by PhD student

University College London (UCL) student Zhenhao Zou, 28, was last month found guilty of drugging and raping 10 women,whose attacks he filmed using hidden cameras to keep as “souvenirs”. Only two of the victims were ever identified.

Judge Rosina Cottage said Zou was a "dangerous and predatory" offender and warned him he faces a "very long" jail term when he is sentenced in June.

Police issued a worldwide appeal for other victims to come forward after revealing they had found videos showing at least 50 unidentified women being assaulted by Zou, who also kept a trophy box of victims' belongings including jewellery and clothing.

imageHe targeted young Chinese women, inviting them to his flat for drinks or to study, before drugging and assaulting them.

Detectives this week revealed more than 20 women have already come forward and police are investigating if they can identify them among the unknown victims.

Metropolitan Police commander Kevin Southworth thanked the women for bravely coming forward, adding: "We have victims reaching out to us from different parts of the globe.

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