PhD student of top London University rapes ten women, shocking modus operandi revealed

A PhD student from a top London university raped ten women he had plied with drink or drugs and videotaped his attacks as "souvenirs" for his personal satisfaction. Zhenhao Zou, a Chinese national, was identified as a "predator, voyeur, and rapist." He denies all charges against him.

Zhenhao Zou Background

Zhenhao Zou began studying engineering at University College London in 2019 with the goal of having a master's degree and eventually a PhD. He arrived in Britain in September 2017 and began his studies at Queen's University in Belfast, The Guardian stated.

Prosecution's Allegations

The prosecution, Catherine Farrelly KC, said: "To the outside world, he clearly presents as a brilliant and charming young guy. The prosecution claims that he is a persistent sexual voyeur, predator, and rapist.” "The prosecution's case in this trial is that he would meet women, stupefy them with drinks or drugs, and then rape them. He often recorded himself doing so," stated The Guardian.


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The jury was told Zou faced 35 charges on the indictment against him and that they would be shown some of the films, which the crown claimed demonstrated Zou's guilt. The records were "kept for his own private sexual gratification," said Farrelly.

She went further: "Often, he would record himself doing so, and you will be shown several recordings during this trial, which the prosecution says are the defendant's souvenirs of many rapes that he had committed; items that he kept for his own private sexual gratification, so that he could watch, at his leisure, his rapes of these women, who he had rendered often unconscious and totally vulnerable to his will," as per The Standard.

As per The Guardian, Zou faces 11 counts of rape against ten women, three counts of voyeurism, 12 counts of possessing an extreme pornographic image, one case of wrongful imprisonment, and eight counts of possessing a prohibited substance with intent to supply. It took 15 minutes to read all of the counts to the jury at Inner London Crown Court. Eight of the women have yet to be identified.

The jury was informed that it would hear from two women who had been identified by detectives. The prosecutor stated that investigators found videos of attacks on nine of the ten women. Searches of Zou's residence discovered numerous narcotics suspected of being MDMA, butanediol, ketamine, and alprazolam.

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Legal Instructions to the Jury

Judge Cottage informed the jury that consent, as well as each woman's competence to consent, will be central to the trial. As per the Guardian, the judge instructed the jurors to set aside any emotion or ideas regarding rape and how persons who are attacked respond afterwards.

FAQs

Q1. What charges does PhD student Zhenhao Zou face in the sexual assault trial?
A. Zhenhao Zou is facing 35 charges, including 11 counts of rape, three instances of voyeurism, possession of severe pornographic photographs, unlawful confinement, and possession of drugs with the purpose to provide.

Q2. What evidence was presented against PhD student Zhenhao Zou?
A. The prosecution has video footage of Zou allegedly attacking his victims, as well as narcotics found in his home, which are thought to have been used to sedate them.