A Chinese PhD student, Zhenhao Zou, is facing trial at Inner London Crown Court for multiple sexual assault charges, including drugging and raping ten women. Described by the prosecution as "a persistent sexual predator, voyeur, and rapist," the 27-year-old is accused of using illicit drugs and alcohol to incapacitate his victims before assaulting them. The allegations span from September 2019 to May 2023, with the defendant maintaining recordings of the alleged attacks as "souvenirs" for his "private sexual gratification."
Zou, who came to the UK for higher studies in September 2017, completed his undergraduate degree at Queen's University Belfast before moving to University College London (UCL) for his master's and doctoral studies. The range of charges he faces totals 35, including 11 counts of rape and three counts of voyeurism. Prosecutor Catherine Farrelly KC highlighted the stark difference between Zou’s outward charm and the reality of his actions, stating, "To the outside world, he undoubtedly presents as a smart and charming young man. The prosecution's case at this trial is...he would stupefy [women]...and then rape them."
The court heard details of Zou’s alleged manipulation tactics. Farrelly indicated he would often pressure women to consume large quantities of alcohol or administer drugs like MDMA, ketamine, and alprazolam to disorient them. "Often, he would record himself doing so, which the prosecution says are the defendant's souvenirs of many rapes he had committed," she stated, reitering the disturbing nature of the recordings found during Zou's arrest.
Investigations began when police were contacted by one of the women, who reported being raped after Zou provided her with alcohol at his residence. The case, initially faltering due to her reluctance to pursue action for mental health reasons, reignited when she shared her experience via social media. This prompted others to come forward, leading to the discovery of video evidence taken by Zou using his mobile phone and cameras, which allegedly depicted some of the assaults.
Another victim, described as Female A, was heard pleading, "I beg you, don’t do this," as alleged footage of her assault was presented to the jury. The distressing nature of these recordings has raised significant concerns about the emotional toll on jurors, with Judge Rosina Cottage KC urging them to maintain clinical objectivity amid graphic content.
Of the ten women Zou is accused of attacking, only two have been identified, leaving numerous allegations based solely on video evidence. Prosecutor Farrelly outlined the chilling situation, stating, "The recordings were kept for his own private sexual gratification so he could watch, at his leisure, his rapes of these women, who he had rendered unconscious and totally vulnerable to his will." This stark focus on the evidence raises questions about the ethical challenges surrounding consent and legality.
Zou has denied all charges, including claims of rape, voyeurism, and possession of extreme pornographic material, maintaining his stance of consensual interactions with both identified victims. His defense strategy involves asserting the women willingly consumed the intoxicants and engagement was consensual, as some interactions were purportedly framed as "role-playing." Despite his attempts to downplay the gravity of the charges, the extensive evidence collected by law enforcement points toward the severity of the accusations against him.
The trial, expected to extend over four weeks, is poised to provoke discussions on sexual consent, boundaries, and the responsibilities associated with substance use. The court emphasizes the importance of the judges weighing the evidence thoroughly, balancing emotional responses with the need for justice to be conducted fairly.
Indeed, the outcomes of this trial will resonate not only for the individuals involved but also have wider sociocultural repercussions surrounding the prevalence of sexual violence and the discussion of consent within intimate interactions. A community is awaiting the verdict with bated breath, hoping for justice to affirm the seriousness of the claims, and calling for changes to address the root causes of such predatory behavior.