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PhD Student Accused of Drugging and Raping Multiple Victims
A 27-year-old Chinese national, Zhenhao Zou, is facing serious allegations in a London court, accused of raping ten women after drugging them. The prosecution contends that Zou recorded the assaults, referring to the footage as “souvenirs” intended for his own sexual gratification.
Zou, described by the prosecution as appearing charming and intelligent, is labeled a “predator, voyeur, and rapist.” The jury was informed that he seemingly disregarded his victims’ protests during the alleged attacks, which were captured on video. The court proceedings unfolded at Inner London Crown Court, where Zou has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him. His defense will argue that the sexual encounters depicted in the recordings were consensual.
The troubling nature of the evidence was highlighted in court, where it was revealed that some of the victims in the video footage appeared motionless, while others were heard pleading with Zou to stop the assaults. Notably, eight of the women featured in the clips remain unidentified.
Before these allegations surfaced, Zou was pursuing higher education at University College London, having transitioned from a master’s program to a PhD in engineering. He initially arrived in the UK in September 2017, where he studied at Queen’s University Belfast.
Upon his arrest, investigators discovered a worrying document on Zou’s electronic devices, titled “Club Drugs and Their Acute Toxic Effects.” Prosecutor Catherine Farrelly KC outlined the prosecution’s view of Zou’s character, asserting that he maintained an outwardly charming persona while engaging in predatory behavior.
According to Farrelly, Zou allegedly lured women under the influence of alcohol or drugs, after which he would rape them while videotaping the assaults for personal use. The court noted that Zou is charged with a total of 35 counts, including 11 counts of rape related to the ten women, alongside charges of voyeurism, possession of extreme pornographic images, and possession of controlled substances.
The courtroom was informed that the jury would be shown footage recovered from Zou’s mobile phone and cameras, believed to serve as evidence of his guilt. The prosecution characterized these recordings as chilling reminders of his past crimes, kept for his private viewing and pleasure.
Further investigations revealed various drugs in Zou’s home, including MDMA and ketamine. Zou claimed to possess one of these substances for skincare purposes, but the prosecution argued these substances were consistent with those that could be covertly administered to incapacitate his victims prior to assaulting them.
The case began gaining public attention in May 2023 when a woman reported being drugged and raped, leading to a broader investigation that uncovered multiple victims who shared similar experiences. One particular encounter recorded during the alleged assault captured a victim’s desperate pleas for help, to which Zou reportedly responded dismissively.
Throughout the trial, Zou’s defense maintains that the incidents were consensual, citing one woman’s claims that she had asked him for payment afterward, which she appeared to resent when it wasn’t provided. However, the prosecution contends that she was excessively intoxicated, leading to her inability to consent to the act.
This ongoing trial highlights critical issues surrounding consent, predatory behavior, and the use of technology in the perpetration of sexual crimes. As the proceedings continue, the testimonies and evidence presented will play a vital role in the pursuit of justice for the alleged victims.
Source
www.theguardian.com