A Chinese PhD student already serving a life sentence for drugging and raping women in London and China could face additional charges after five more women came forward following a police appeal. The Metropolitan Police has submitted a file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service, which will now decide whether Zhenhao Zao is prosecuted over the new allegations, marking a significant development in an already extensive investigation into his offending.

Zao, 29, was convicted last year at Inner London Crown Court of 28 offences, including 11 rapes against 10 women, three counts of voyeurism and one of false imprisonment, and is serving a minimum of 24 years. He targeted women, often fellow students, via social media and dating apps before drugging and assaulting them, filming attacks on hidden cameras and a mobile device; evidence was later found on SD cards at his UK accommodation. The new evidence file covers alleged rape and administering a substance with intent to commit a sexual offence in the UK, while separate enquiries into alleged assaults in China continue through international legal channels. Zao, who moved to the UK in 2017 and studied at UCL, was described by the sentencing judge as having used "charm" to mask predatory behaviour.