Zhenhao Zou could face more assault charges as Met hands file to CPS

A convicted serial rapist described by police as "one of the most prolific predators" in the UK could face further charges after fresh allegations involving seven more women were passed to prosecutors.

Chinese national Zhenhao Zou is serving a life sentence with a minimum term of 24 years after he was found guilty of drugging and raping 10 women in London and China between September 2019 and May 2023.

Believing Zou had committed further crimes, police appealed for more potential victim-survivors to come forward.

The Metropolitan Police has sent a file containing the new allegations of sexual crimes to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), which will decide whether to bring further charges.

According to the Met Police, the file contains evidence relating to several alleged offences, including rape and administering a substance with intent to commit a sexual offence.

It relates to reports made by five women who contacted police following the appeal, as well as the alleged rape of two women who remain unidentified, the force said.

A total of 23 women contacted police following the appeal, but most of them did not want to pursue criminal charges, the force added.

The Met said separate inquiries were ongoing into allegations involving women who were allegedly assaulted by Zou in China, with officers working to obtain evidence from the Chinese authorities.

Zou committed many of his offences while living at various addresses in London, where he was studying for a PhD, while many others were carried out in China.

In addition to rape, Zou was convicted of three counts of voyeurism, 10 of possession of an extreme pornographic image, one of false imprisonment and three of possession of a controlled drug with intent to commit a sexual offence.

Zou was found to have filmed many of his assaults on women, most of whom could not be identified.

Following their investigation, police said they believed there may have been as many as 50 further victims and described him as being " one of the most prolific sexual predators" ever seen in this country.

The Met said detectives would continue to liaise with the CPS as prosecutors consider the new evidence.

The force added that it was committed to supporting any further potential victim-survivors and pursuing justice on their behalf.

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