A PhD candidate accused of sexually assaulting ten women by administering alcohol and drugs has refuted claims of purchasing a substance from China to facilitate these acts.
Zhenhao Zou, who maintains his innocence regarding all allegations, began testifying at his trial at Inner London Crown Court on Monday.
When questioned about the online order of two bottles of Butanediol discovered in his closet by law enforcement, Mr. Zou stated his intention was to consume the substance at nightclubs for recreational purposes.
He explained that he would mix it into drinks and consume them himself to enhance his enjoyment at parties.
When asked if he intended to use the substance to perpetrate assaults on women, he answered, “No.”
The 27-year-old faces charges related to drugging and raping three women in London and seven in China between 2019 and 2023, all of which he denies.
During the proceedings on Monday, he informed the court that his exposure to drugs like cocaine and ketamine stemmed from nightlife activities while pursuing his PhD at University College London (UCL).
In a statement prepared for the police in January 2024 after his arrest, which was presented to the jury, Mr. Zou expressed that the two bottles in his possession were acquired in July 2023 and that he uses Butanediol for moisturizing purposes.
He noted that the bottles remained sealed, as he had not yet used the product since he was still working through his moisturizer.
Earlier in the trial, he explained that he had ordered the substance from an online retailer, Taobao, in China and had it shipped to the UK.
When questioned by his lawyer if he truly used Butanediol for skincare, he denied it.
Mr. Zou mentioned he refrained from disclosing his use of the substance to the police, wishing to avoid being labeled a drug user.
In his January 2024 statement, Mr. Zou also remarked: “I commonly document my intimate encounters with partners, always with their consent and agreement.”
Regarding the rape allegations, he stated that he never had sexual relations with anyone without their consent and believed all encounters were consensual.
Earlier on Monday, he described his preferred genre of pornography as featuring women who are asleep.
When his attorney, Mark Cotter KC, inquired about this preference, Mr. Zou replied, “I enjoy it because the girl appears to be still and quiet during intercourse.”
Mr. Cotter then asked if he was specifically referring to women who were asleep.
The student confirmed, “Yes, that is my favorite type. But I couldn’t find that.”
The jury has already seen videos that the prosecution claims demonstrate Mr. Zou engaged in sexual acts with intoxicated and unconscious women.
Two women have testified at the trial, stating that he raped them while they were in a semi-conscious state.
Mr. Zou stated in court that he was raised in China before moving to the UK for his studies.
He added that he returned to China between March 2020 and July 2021 due to the Covid pandemic.
Prosecutors have characterized Mr. Zou as a “smart and charming young man,” but label him as “a persistent sexual predator, a voyeur, and a rapist.”
He faces 11 charges of rape involving ten different women. The trial is ongoing.
Additional reporting by PA Media.
