Fact Check: "Since Zou's conviction, over 20 additional women have reported him to police."
What We Know
Zhenhao Zou, a 28-year-old PhD student at University College London, was sentenced to life imprisonment for raping 10 women and committing various other sexual offenses. His conviction was based on evidence that included video recordings of his crimes and testimonies from victims. During the trial, it was revealed that Zou used drugs to incapacitate his victims and targeted them through social media and dating platforms (CPS, BBC).
Following his conviction, it was reported that 24 additional women came forward to police, indicating that they had also been victims of Zou's predatory behavior. This information was presented during the sentencing hearing, where the prosecution stated that it was anticipated further charges could arise from these new allegations (BBC, Reuters).
Analysis
The claim that "over 20 additional women have reported him to police" is substantiated by multiple credible sources. The prosecution explicitly stated in court that 24 further complainants had come forward after Zou's conviction, which aligns with the reported figure. This indicates a significant response from potential victims, likely encouraged by the high-profile nature of the case and the conviction of Zou (BBC, Reuters).
The sources reporting this information, including the BBC and Reuters, are reputable news organizations known for their journalistic integrity. The details provided are consistent across various reports, reinforcing the reliability of the information. Additionally, the Metropolitan Police have publicly acknowledged the ongoing investigation and the appeal for more victims to come forward, which further supports the claim that additional reports have been made (CPS, Sky News).
Conclusion
The claim that "since Zou's conviction, over 20 additional women have reported him to police" is True. This is supported by multiple credible sources that confirm the emergence of 24 additional complainants following Zou's sentencing. The ongoing investigation by the police indicates that there may be further developments in this case as more victims come forward.
Sources
- PhD student given life sentence for raping 10 women
- Chinese student jailed for 24 years for raping women in UK
- Former PhD student Zhenhao Zou is jailed for at least 24 years
- Student Who Filmed Himself Raping at Least 10 Women Is Jailed
- Serial rapist Zhenhao Zou jailed for minimum of 24 years
- Man jailed for life for drugging and raping 10 women as judge commends Met officers
- Zhenhao Zou: Student who drugged and raped 10 women
