UK retrials Chinese serial rapist Zou Zhenhao on new charges

Author, Aurelia Foster

Reported from, London

Posted on September 7, 2026 at 9:55 am

Last updated: 4 hours ago

Reading time: 3 minutes

A convicted serial rapist described by police as "one of Britain's most prolific predators" may face further prosecution after new allegations from seven other women were referred to prosecutors for review.

Chinese man Zou Zhenhao drugged and raped 10 women in London and China from September 2019 to May 2023. After being found guilty, he is serving a life sentence with a minimum sentence of 24 years.

Police believe Zou Zhenhao committed more crimes and are appealing to other possible victim survivors to come forward.

The Metropolitan Police (Greater Metropolitan Police/Scotland Yard) has submitted a case file containing a new batch of sexual offense allegations to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for a decision on whether to prosecute.

London Metropolitan Police said the case file contained evidence relating to a number of alleged offences, including rape and administering a substance with intent to commit a sexual offence.

Police said the docket relates to complaints made by five women who responded to calls to contact police, as well as the alleged rapes of two other women who have not yet been identified.

Police added that a total of 23 women contacted police following the appeal, but the majority did not wish to press criminal charges.

London Metropolitan Police said that there are other allegations involving women who were allegedly sexually assaulted by Zou Zhenhao in China and are under separate investigation, and police officers are cooperating with relevant Chinese departments to collect evidence.

While studying for his PhD, Zou Zhenhao lived at multiple addresses in London and committed many crimes there, and many others were committed in China.

In addition to rape, Zou Zhenhao was also found guilty of three counts of voyeurism, 10 counts of possession of extreme pornographic images, one count of unlawful confinement, and three counts of possession of controlled drugs with intent to commit sexual offences.

The court found that Zou Zhenhao had filmed multiple attacks on women, and most of the victims could not be identified.

After investigating, police said they believed there may be up to 50 other victims and described him as "one of the most prolific sexual predators" the UK has ever seen.

London's Metropolitan Police said detectives would continue to liaise with the Crown Prosecution Service while prosecutors review new evidence.

The police added that they are committed to supporting any further potential victim survivors who are discovered and seeking justice for them.