A 28-year-old PhD student has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 24 years for a campaign of sexual violence against women in the UK and China.
Zhenhao Zou, who operated under the alias “Pakho,” was convicted in March on 11 counts of rape, false imprisonment, voyeurism, and drug-related sexual offenses at Inner London Crown Court.
Judge Rosina Cottage condemned Zou’s “cowardly” crimes, noting he preyed on vulnerable victims—many of Chinese heritage—whom he drugged into unconsciousness before assaulting them. Evidence revealed he lured students via WeChat and dating apps to his London and Chinese residences, where he stole personal items and covertly filmed attacks using hidden cameras and mobile devices.
UK prosecutors credited the “immense bravery” of survivors whose testimony secured the conviction. Zou, a University College London researcher, was arrested in January 2024 after one victim reported him. Authorities confirmed he possessed extreme pornography and drugs intended to facilitate further assaults.
The case has reignited discussions about digital predation and institutional accountability in academic settings. With time served deducted, Zou must serve 22 years and 227 days before parole eligibility.
