Chinese student who is in jail after drugging and raping 10 women in London and China may face new charges
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.
In short
- Jailed rapist Zhenhao Zao may face fresh charges after new victims came forward.
- Met Police has sent evidence file to the CPS for a charging decision.
- He's already serving 24 years minimum for 11 rapes against 10 women.
Explained simply
Zhenhao Zao was a Chinese PhD student who moved to London in 2017 to study at University College London. He used social media and dating apps to meet women, many of them fellow students, and drugged and sexually assaulted some of them.
A court convicted Zao of offences including rape, voyeurism and false imprisonment, and he is serving a life sentence with a minimum term of 24 years. Investigators found recordings of attacks on digital storage devices at his London accommodation, and the case involved alleged offending in both the UK and China.
The investigation matters because more women have reported allegations, while police and prosecutors assess whether there is enough evidence for further UK charges. Enquiries into alleged assaults in China involve international legal channels.