UK serial rapist Zhenhao Zou faces potential new charges after seven additional allegations

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.