Zhenhao Zou, ELEPHANT AND CASTLE SERIAL RAPIST, CONVICTED OF MULTIPLE OFFENSES IN LONDON AND CHINA
| Red Rose Database
Elephant and Castle Rapist
In a landmark case that has shocked the local community and drawn international attention, Zhenhao Zou, a 28-year-old man residing in Churchyard Row, Elephant and Castle, has been found guilty of a series of heinous crimes involving the sexual assault and exploitation of women across two countries. The conviction, handed down on Wednesday, March 5, by the Inner London Crown Court, marks the culmination of one of the most intricate and extensive investigations ever undertaken by the Metropolitan Police.
Over the course of the trial, jurors were presented with overwhelming evidence that painted a disturbing picture of Zou’s criminal activities. He was convicted on a total of 28 counts, which included 11 counts of rape committed against 10 different women. The court heard that Zou had a disturbing habit of filming nine of these assaults, capturing them as 'souvenirs' of his crimes. Additionally, he kept a trophy box containing personal belongings of his victims, such as jewelry and clothing, further demonstrating his disturbing obsession and lack of remorse.
The court proceedings revealed that seven of the rapes occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic in China. Evidence presented to the jury included videos that Zou had recorded, showing him engaging in sexual acts with women who were either unconscious or semi-conscious. These videos, which police have not been able to identify the victims of, served as crucial evidence in establishing his pattern of predatory behavior. The jury was shown these videos during the trial, which caused visible distress among the jurors, necessitating regular breaks to process the disturbing material.
In addition to the incidents in China, Zou was convicted of four rapes that took place within London. Two of these victims have come forward and provided testimony, while the other two assaults involved the same woman, who has yet to be located or identified by authorities. Some of the attacks in London occurred at Zou’s flats in Bloomsbury and Elephant and Castle, with others taking place at an undisclosed location in China. The court was informed that Zou’s lifestyle was financed by a wealthy family background, allowing him to afford luxury items such as a Rolex watch, designer clothing, and cosmetic procedures including a hair transplant and facial surgery. His rent alone was reported to be around £4,000 per month.
Zou’s educational journey took him from Belfast, where he moved in 2017 to study at Queen’s University, to London in 2019, where he pursued a master’s degree and subsequently a PhD at University College London. His affluent background and the apparent ease with which he moved between countries have raised concerns about the full extent of his offending. The trial, which lasted five and a half weeks, concluded with a guilty verdict, and Zou is scheduled to be sentenced at the same court on Thursday, June 19.
Following today’s proceedings, detectives have expressed their belief that Zou’s offending may be even more extensive than currently documented. They have issued a direct appeal to any potential victims or survivor-survivors who have not yet come forward, urging them to seek support and assistance. Authorities emphasize the importance of victims feeling safe to share their experiences, as they continue to investigate the full scope of Zou’s criminal activities across both the UK and China.
Over the course of the trial, jurors were presented with overwhelming evidence that painted a disturbing picture of Zou’s criminal activities. He was convicted on a total of 28 counts, which included 11 counts of rape committed against 10 different women. The court heard that Zou had a disturbing habit of filming nine of these assaults, capturing them as 'souvenirs' of his crimes. Additionally, he kept a trophy box containing personal belongings of his victims, such as jewelry and clothing, further demonstrating his disturbing obsession and lack of remorse.
The court proceedings revealed that seven of the rapes occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic in China. Evidence presented to the jury included videos that Zou had recorded, showing him engaging in sexual acts with women who were either unconscious or semi-conscious. These videos, which police have not been able to identify the victims of, served as crucial evidence in establishing his pattern of predatory behavior. The jury was shown these videos during the trial, which caused visible distress among the jurors, necessitating regular breaks to process the disturbing material.
In addition to the incidents in China, Zou was convicted of four rapes that took place within London. Two of these victims have come forward and provided testimony, while the other two assaults involved the same woman, who has yet to be located or identified by authorities. Some of the attacks in London occurred at Zou’s flats in Bloomsbury and Elephant and Castle, with others taking place at an undisclosed location in China. The court was informed that Zou’s lifestyle was financed by a wealthy family background, allowing him to afford luxury items such as a Rolex watch, designer clothing, and cosmetic procedures including a hair transplant and facial surgery. His rent alone was reported to be around £4,000 per month.
Zou’s educational journey took him from Belfast, where he moved in 2017 to study at Queen’s University, to London in 2019, where he pursued a master’s degree and subsequently a PhD at University College London. His affluent background and the apparent ease with which he moved between countries have raised concerns about the full extent of his offending. The trial, which lasted five and a half weeks, concluded with a guilty verdict, and Zou is scheduled to be sentenced at the same court on Thursday, June 19.
Following today’s proceedings, detectives have expressed their belief that Zou’s offending may be even more extensive than currently documented. They have issued a direct appeal to any potential victims or survivor-survivors who have not yet come forward, urging them to seek support and assistance. Authorities emphasize the importance of victims feeling safe to share their experiences, as they continue to investigate the full scope of Zou’s criminal activities across both the UK and China.