A Chinese student has been sentenced to life in prison for drugging and raping ten women in both the UK and China.

Zhenhao Zou, 28, received this sentence on Thursday at Inner London Crown Court. Judge Rosina Cottage mandated that he serve a minimum of 24 years, specifically 22 years and 227 days, before becoming eligible for parole, taking into account the time he has already spent in custody, according to reports from PA Media.

In March, Zou was convicted of multiple charges, including 11 counts of rape, one count of false imprisonment, three counts of voyeurism, and other offenses such as possessing extreme pornographic images and having a controlled substance with the intent to commit a sexual offense.

Prosecutors reported that many of his victims were “unconscious and rendered defenseless” after being drugged. Police revealed that Zou, who also went by the online alias “Pakho,” targeted students of Chinese heritage through WeChat and various dating apps. He lured these individuals to his apartments in London and China, where he drugged and assaulted them. Authorities discovered that he also stole personal items from his victims, including jewelry and clothing.

According to the UK’s Crown Prosecution Service, Zou recorded some of the assaults using both a mobile phone and hidden cameras. Police described his actions as deeply predatory, highlighting how he “manipulated and drugged women in the most cowardly way to exploit them.”

Zou, who was a PhD student at University College London, was arrested in January 2024 after one of his victims bravely reported the abuse to the police.

Prosecutors praised the “courageous women who came forward to report Zhenhao Zou’s heinous crimes,” calling them “incredibly strong and brave.” They emphasized that the testimonies of the victims were crucial in securing his convictions.