UCL Engineering Student Denies Rape Charges in Ongoing Trial
Zhenhao Zou, 27, faces multiple accusations of drugging and assaulting women, asserting his innocence in court.
Zhenhao Zou, a 27-year-old PhD student in engineering at University College London, is currently on trial at Inner London Crown Court, facing allegations of drugging and raping multiple women.
Zou is charged with raping ten women, in addition to voyeurism, possession of extreme pornography, false imprisonment, and drug-related offenses.
He denies all charges.
In his testimony, Zou claimed to have taken recreational drugs and expressed a preference for particular types of pornography, specifically stating he enjoys content featuring passive and unresponsive women.
This preference, referred to as "time stop" pornography, was described in court as material in which the female subjects are depicted as still and quiet during sexual acts.
When pressed about whether he liked scenes with women who are asleep, he confirmed that it was his favorite type but stated he had difficulty finding such material.
Zou's background was discussed in court, revealing that he grew up in Guangdong Province, China, before moving to the UK for his studies.
The prosecution has presented evidence that Zou used drugs such as ketamine, cocaine, ecstasy, and butanediol, asserting that these substances were used to incapacitate his victims.
Following his arrest in January 2024, Zou reportedly stated that he used butanediol as a moisturizer but later suggested it was for intoxication purposes.
The prosecution characterized Zou as a "predator, voyeur, and rapist," alleging that he ignored the pleas of women to stop during the alleged assaults.
Throughout the proceedings, Zou has maintained his innocence, asserting that all sexual encounters were consensual.
He claimed to have a practice of taking consensual photographs of his sexual activities.
Regarding the evidence retrieved from his mobile devices, he indicated a lack of recall about the images in question, maintaining that any pictures taken were consensual.
The jury also heard about Zou's personal challenges, including insomnia, which he stated has led to cosmetic surgeries, and a significant interest in self-image.
Zou faces a comprehensive list of charges: 11 counts of rape, three counts of voyeurism, 12 counts of possession of an extreme pornographic image, one count of false imprisonment, and eight counts of having a controlled drug with intent to commit a sexual offence.
The trial continues, with Zou expected to continue giving evidence in his defense.
Zou is charged with raping ten women, in addition to voyeurism, possession of extreme pornography, false imprisonment, and drug-related offenses.
He denies all charges.
In his testimony, Zou claimed to have taken recreational drugs and expressed a preference for particular types of pornography, specifically stating he enjoys content featuring passive and unresponsive women.
This preference, referred to as "time stop" pornography, was described in court as material in which the female subjects are depicted as still and quiet during sexual acts.
When pressed about whether he liked scenes with women who are asleep, he confirmed that it was his favorite type but stated he had difficulty finding such material.
Zou's background was discussed in court, revealing that he grew up in Guangdong Province, China, before moving to the UK for his studies.
The prosecution has presented evidence that Zou used drugs such as ketamine, cocaine, ecstasy, and butanediol, asserting that these substances were used to incapacitate his victims.
Following his arrest in January 2024, Zou reportedly stated that he used butanediol as a moisturizer but later suggested it was for intoxication purposes.
The prosecution characterized Zou as a "predator, voyeur, and rapist," alleging that he ignored the pleas of women to stop during the alleged assaults.
Throughout the proceedings, Zou has maintained his innocence, asserting that all sexual encounters were consensual.
He claimed to have a practice of taking consensual photographs of his sexual activities.
Regarding the evidence retrieved from his mobile devices, he indicated a lack of recall about the images in question, maintaining that any pictures taken were consensual.
The jury also heard about Zou's personal challenges, including insomnia, which he stated has led to cosmetic surgeries, and a significant interest in self-image.
Zou faces a comprehensive list of charges: 11 counts of rape, three counts of voyeurism, 12 counts of possession of an extreme pornographic image, one count of false imprisonment, and eight counts of having a controlled drug with intent to commit a sexual offence.
The trial continues, with Zou expected to continue giving evidence in his defense.
