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A former Queen’s University Belfast student, identified as Zou, has been sentenced to life imprisonment in the UK after being convicted of raping ten women, both in the UK and China, during a prosecution described by detectives as one of the most striking cases of sexual predation in recent memory.
Sentencing and Judicial Commentary
- Sentence: Zou received a life sentence with a minimum term of 22 years and 227 days before being eligible for parole. Judge Rosina Cottage, at Inner London Crown Court, ordered this based on the gravity and premeditation of his crimes.
- Judicial observations: The judge described Zou as a “very bright young man” who wore a “charming mask” to conceal his status as a “sexual predator.” She stated he “planned and executed a campaign of rape,” treating his victims with cold detachment and asserting power through sexual violence.
Crime Overview
- Criminal behaviour: Zou was convicted of eleven counts of rape (one count repeated for a single victim), three counts of voyeurism, ten counts of possession of extreme pornography, one count of false imprisonment, and three counts of possessing butanediol with intent to commit a sexual offence.
- Modus operandi: Prosecutors stated that he befriended young women—predominantly Chinese students—via WeChat and dating apps, inviting them to his flat in London or a location in China, where he allegedly drugged and raped them.
Victim Experiences
- London incidents: Three victims were identified in London. One recounted being coerced into excessive drinking and detained in his flat in Elephant and Castle in May 2023, suffering long-lasting trauma. Another, assaulted in October 2021 at his UCL-area flat, described enduring emotional scarring, nightmares, and an inability to forgive.
- International victims: Seven additional victims in China came forward, including one known as “Female D,” who described feelings of self-blame and psychological distress following police outreach.
Investigation and Evidence
- Lead-up to charges: The case escalated after an initial report in November 2023, and police seized Zou’s phone, discovering disturbing rape footage and evidence of sedatives and pipettes in his London residence.
- Victim outreach: Following media coverage, 24 further potential victims—22 in the UK and two in China—contacted Scotland Yard, who continues to investigate.
Official Response
- Metropolitan Police: Detective Inspector Richard Mackenzie called Zou “one of the most prolific predators we have ever seen,” spanning offenses across two countries. Commander Kevin Southworth urged any further victims to come forward, affirming the force’s support and respect for all who do.
- Crown Prosecution Service: Prosecutor Saira Pike described Zou as a “serial rapist and a danger to women,” praising the courage of the reporting victims whose testimony secured his conviction.
Broader Context
Zou’s case evokes chilling comparisons to other notorious predators, including Reynhard Sinaga—who received a life sentence in 2020 for the rape of 48 men—and Stephen Port, who was convicted of multiple murders and sexual offences via drugging.
Summary: A life sentence has been imposed on Zou for a campaign of calculated sexual violence spanning two countries. The conviction, widely acknowledged as a significant victory for justice, follows compelling evidence and disturbing victim accounts. The police investigation continues alongside an appeal for any additional victims to come forward for support and testimony.
The-Royal-Courts-of-Justice-Picture-from-geograph.org_.uk-by-John-Allan
