A Chinese facing accusations of drugging and assaulting ten women claimed in court that his alleged victims were only pretending to be raped in recordings of the incidents.
Zhenhao Zou, 27, acknowledged his preference for s*xual encounters where his partners remain “still and quiet,” but he denied ever drugging or physically coercing anyone.
He faces charges including 11 counts of rape involving ten women, three counts of voyeurism, 12 counts of possession of extreme pornographic material, one count of false imprisonment, and possession of a controlled substance with the intent to commit a s*xual offense. The alleged crimes are said to have occurred between September 2019 and May 2023 while Zou was studying in the UK.
Two women who claim they were assaulted by Zou in London have testified at the trial. According to the prosecution, seven of the rapes reportedly took place in China.
Remarkably, many of Zou’s alleged victims remain unidentified, as police based numerous charges on Zou’s own recordings made with his mobile phone and hidden cameras.
Zou denies all accusations.
During cross-examination, prosecutor Catherine Farrelly KC asked Zou how many women in London had participated in what he referred to as “role play.” Zou responded that he could not recall.
When questioned further about how he found women willing to engage in such acts, he mentioned that he met them through dating apps and that discussions about s*x would often lead to such scenarios. Zou acknowledged that these situations were not common and admitted to having very few opportunities.
About the recordings, he claimed they were made to enhance his s*xual experiences, akin to using condoms.
Farrelly also confronted him regarding a specific recording involving a victim named Female A. Zou confirmed that the recording was meant for his own viewing, but he claimed it was damaged. He affirmed that Female A was aware of and consented to the recording as part of a role play.
Under further scrutiny, Farrelly pointed out the clarity of the woman’s face in the recording and questioned whether she had indeed allowed him to keep a recording that appeared to depict her being raped. Zou maintained that she had consented.
Zou also shared that while in China, he had given women luxury items in exchange for their pretending to be unconscious during s*x.
In questioning about another alleged victim, known as Female D, Zou acknowledged that she had chosen to act as if he were assaulting her, despite claims made in the recorded video where she can be heard expressing discomfort and requesting him to stop.
Farrelly remarked that Zou’s claims contradicted earlier statements he made to police, during which he never mentioned any form of role play.
Zou was studying at UCL when he was accused of raping women who had been incapacitated with a mix of drugs, including MDMA and GHB. The case came to light when a woman reported that she had been raped after being intoxicated at a friend’s party in May 2023.
Police located a video of that incident showing the victim pleading to leave, while Zou allegedly insisted she finish her drink. In one concerning clip, an unconscious woman appears to awaken and pleads with Zou, expressing her distress as he purportedly restrains her.
Zou, who lived in Elephant and Castle, southeast London, has denied all 35 charges against him. He appeared in court wearing a blue suit, assisted by a Mandarin interpreter.
A Chinese PhD student facing accusations of drugging and assaulting ten women claimed in court that his alleged victims were only pretending to be raped in recordings of the incidents.
Zhenhao Zou, 27, acknowledged his preference for s*xual encounters where his partners remain “still and quiet,” but he denied ever drugging or physically coercing anyone.
He faces charges including 11 counts of rape involving ten women, three counts of voyeurism, 12 counts of possession of extreme pornographic material, one count of false imprisonment, and possession of a controlled substance with the intent to commit a s*xual offense. The alleged crimes are said to have occurred between September 2019 and May 2023 while Zou was studying in the UK.
Two women who claim they were assaulted by Zou in London have testified at the trial. According to the prosecution, seven of the rapes reportedly took place in China.
Remarkably, many of Zou’s alleged victims remain unidentified, as police based numerous charges on Zou’s own recordings made with his mobile phone and hidden cameras.
Zou denies all accusations.
During cross-examination, prosecutor Catherine Farrelly KC asked Zou how many women in London had participated in what he referred to as “role play.” Zou responded that he could not recall.
When questioned further about how he found women willing to engage in such acts, he mentioned that he met them through dating apps and that discussions about s*x would often lead to such scenarios. Zou acknowledged that these situations were not common and admitted to having very few opportunities.
About the recordings, he claimed they were made to enhance his s*xual experiences, akin to using condoms.
Farrelly also confronted him regarding a specific recording involving a victim named Female A. Zou confirmed that the recording was meant for his own viewing, but he claimed it was damaged. He affirmed that Female A was aware of and consented to the recording as part of a role play.
Under further scrutiny, Farrelly pointed out the clarity of the woman’s face in the recording and questioned whether she had indeed allowed him to keep a recording that appeared to depict her being raped. Zou maintained that she had consented.
Zou also shared that while in China, he had given women luxury items in exchange for their pretending to be unconscious during s*x.
In questioning about another alleged victim, known as Female D, Zou acknowledged that she had chosen to act as if he were assaulting her, despite claims made in the recorded video where she can be heard expressing discomfort and requesting him to stop.
Farrelly remarked that Zou’s claims contradicted earlier statements he made to police, during which he never mentioned any form of role play.
Zou was studying at UCL when he was accused of raping women who had been incapacitated with a mix of drugs, including MDMA and GHB. The case came to light when a woman reported that she had been raped after being intoxicated at a friend’s party in May 2023.
Police located a video of that incident showing the victim pleading to leave, while Zou allegedly insisted she finish her drink. In one concerning clip, an unconscious woman appears to awaken and pleads with Zou, expressing her distress as he purportedly restrains her.
Zou, who lived in Elephant and Castle, southeast London, has denied all 35 charges against him. He appeared in court wearing a blue suit, assisted by a Mandarin interpreter.
