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Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Daily Mirror
Inside dark and twisted life of perverted PhD student jailed for raping 10 women
Chinese PhD student Zhenhao Zou, 28, has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 22 years for the rape of 10 women in London and China A Chinese PhD student who drugged and raped 10 women in London and China has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 22 years. Zhenhao Zou, 28, kept a trophy box of women's belongings and filmed nine of the rapes on women as they lost consciousness. Judge Rosina Cottage, sentencing Zou to 22 years and 227 days at Inner London Crown Court on Thursday, said the defendant is a "very bright young man" who used a manipulative "charming mask" to hide that he is a "sexual predator". She said that Zou "planned and executed a campaign of rape", treating the women "callously" and as 'sex toys' for his own pleasure, which had 'devastating and long-term effects'. Zou is reported to come from a wealthy and well-connected family. His mother works as a teacher, while his father is employed by a state-owned enterprise. It has been suggested that Zou's parents financed his stay in the UK, though witnesses say he earned some pocket money by trading luxury goods. READ MORE: Chinese PhD student's sick trophies after raping 10 women - including polar bear sock and hair His family owns multiple properties, including a detached house in Dongguan, a city in Guangdong province. Zou, who used the name 'Pakho' on social media, stayed there during extended visits to China. When police raided his London residence in January of last year, his affluent lifestyle was immediately evident. Officers discovered a green Rolex Submariner and other high-end watches, along with at least 70 bottles of alcohol concealed behind a curtain in the living room. Zou lived in an apartment building managed by the company Uncle, promoted as "a work of art" and London's tallest residential tower. Residents have access to a rooftop terrace that the company claims would "make the Shard jealous". Detective Chief Inspector Richard Mackenzie, who led the Metropolitan Police investigation, described the scene, saying: "We found expensive jewellery and multiple shopping bags from luxury brands. Inside his wardrobe were designer clothes from Louis Vuitton, Moncler, and Burberry — many still with tags. For a student, this was unusual." Beyond the luxury items, the police uncovered more disturbing evidence. In his wardrobe, a box contained personal items such as a key, earrings, a black dress, and hairbands — described by police as a "trophy box" of belongings taken from his victims of sexual assault. Investigators also found components of a rape kit: a graduated dropper pipette and a hidden camera used to record Zou engaging in sexual acts with as many as five women per month. Zou told the jury that he habitually recorded consensual sexual encounters and denied any non-consensual activity. Numerous condoms were found hidden in bedside drawers, alongside a Louis Vuitton box containing Viagra pills in a designer pouch. Police also seized bags of white powders and two 500ml brown bottles labelled "1,4-Butanediol" — a colourless liquid precursor to GHB, a drug known for its sedative effects on the nervous system. Even small amounts of GHB can be lethal. Classified as a Class B drug, GHB is commonly referred to as "liquid ecstasy" and is known to induce euphoria and relaxation. Among the seized drugs were dozens of Xanax tablets in blister packs. Zou explained he had suffered from insomnia since attending boarding school in China and obtained the prescription tranquillizer, typically used for anxiety disorders, from a drug dealer he met at a party. "I took it when I couldn't sleep or was anxious," he said, denying giving the drug to anyone else. Zou said he first tried GHB, which he called "e-liquid," after moving to London in 2019. Prior to that, he had completed a two-year mechanical engineering degree at Queen's University Belfast as an exchange student from Guangdong University of Technology, his home institution. Frequenting some of London's largest nightclubs, Zou began using cocaine and ketamine and later experimented with GHB. "I used it at nightclubs to get high," he stated. "It was much cheaper to buy online — the nightclub prices were significantly higher." He purchased the drug used for drug-facilitated sexual assault from TaoBao, a Chinese online shopping platform similar to Amazon which also sells luxury and virtual goods for video games. When police found the unopened bottles of butanediol, Zou panicked and claimed they were face moisturiser. The court heard he had undergone multiple cosmetic procedures in both London and China, including a hair transplant, eyelid surgeries, fat injections under his chin, dental adjustments, and that he wore makeup to improve his appearance. "I didn't tell the police because I didn't want to be labelled a drug user,' Zou said. However, evidence showed Zou had accessed Potato, an encrypted messaging app, to find instructions on drugging and sexually assaulting women. Cached images from his phone included disturbing photos of naked Chinese women wearing face masks, unconscious on a bed. These posts advertised drugs like midazolam and sevoflurane, both used as general anaesthetics. One listing offered a substance described as "obedient liquid," with Mandarin captions promising "guaranteed effects." Zou, who was found guilty of sexually assaulting 10 women on March 5, was sentenced today. He will spend 22 years and 227 days in prison before he could leave on parole, taking the number of days he has already spent in prison into account - meaning the 28-year-old cannot be released from jail before 2048. Judge Rosina Cottage today told him he was a "sexual predator", adding: "These women you treated callously and used them as sex toys for your pleasure." If you have been affected by anything in this story or need support after rape or sexual assault, call the Rape Crisis helpline on 0808 500 2222
Daily Mail
27-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE How to move to Qatar: Dubai's low-key neighbour offers high wages, tax benefits, free accommodation and year-round sunshine
It might be a small country, but Qatar 's influence far outweighs its size. The country's gas wealth has enabled it to own vast chunks of London, including major landmarks like the Shard and Harrods, and it recently gifted President Trump a palatial 747 jet (worth around $400milion). Since hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the country has also enjoyed a wave of tourism; last year, visitors hit five million for the first time. Like its neighbours Dubai and Saudi, Qatar is diversifying for a carbon-free future and investing heavily in financial services, hospitality and real estate as part of its Vision 2030 programme. It now hosts sports events such as the Grand Prix, AFC Asian Cup, MotoGP and Qatar WTP Open.
Metro
16-05-2025
- Metro
Inside 807ft skyscraper in a forest that's almost as tall as London's Shard
A skyscraper almost as tall as London's Shard has been built in the middle of a forest – and it's become a popular tourist attraction. The huge, twisting tower surrounded by trees in south west Germany has a very practical purpose, besides sticking out of the surrounding countryside. Located near the medieval town of Rottweil, the futuristic concrete structure looks like something out of a sci-fi film. But instead of containing ultra-modern apartments, as you might expect from such a striking building, the 807ft (246m) skyscraper is actually used to test lifts. The TK Elevator Testturm has 12 shafts used to test different elevator systems, which taken together measure up to 6,560ft (2km) in length. It is almost as tall as the Shard in London which measures 1,016ft, while One Canada Square in Canary Wharf is 771ft tall. In Germany, only Frankfurt's Commerzbank Tower (850ft) and Messeturm (841ft) trump the height of the lift test tower in Rottweil. In fact the city of Frankfurt is home to nine of Germany's 10 tallest buildings. The construction project to build TK Testturm was a feat of engineering, taking under 10 months from start to finish by crews working in three shifts. In total 15,000cubic metres of concrete, 200 rock nails, and 2,640tonnes of steel were used to build the structure back in 2017. The shafts inside the test tower are used to test next-generation lift technology, including high-speed models and groundbreaking systems which can move vertically and horizontally. While the futuristic tower is in sharp contrast with the surrounding countryside and nearby Rottweil, a medieval town once part of the Swiss Confederacy, it has found its place within the community and has become a popular tourist attraction. Commerzbank Tower, Frankfurt – 850ft Messtrum, Frankfurt – 841ft TK Testturm, Rottweill – 807ft Four I, Frankfurt – 764ft Westendstrabe, Frankfurt – 682ft Main Tower, Frankfurt – 656ft Tower 185, Frankfurt – 656ft One, Frankfurt – 626ft Omniturm, Frankfurt – 623ft Trianon, Frankfurt – 610ft It boasts a viewing platform at 76ft with an unobstructed view of the Black Forest and the Swiss Alps to the south. Visitors can take an elevator up to the viewing platform during weekends and bank holidays, with admission costing €9 (£7.50) for adults and €5 (£4.20) for children. Since 2018 the TK Testturm has hosted the Towerrun, where runners race to climb the tower's 1,390 steps to the viewing platform – aside from 2020, which was held virtually, and 2021 which was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. The test tower's regular visitors also include engineers and architects from around the world to trial technology and future lift designs. This includes the Multi system using magnetic levitation instead of traditional cables, enabling it to move in different directions. Engineers say this could reduce waiting times in skyscrapers and allow new designs. The TK Testturm's unusual twisted surface design has a very practical purpose, reducing vibrations caused by wind. At first, critics were sceptical of the tower being built in the middle of a picturesque forest. More Trending However, residents have since welcomed the tower as part of the local areas and it now has partnerships with schools and engineering programmes. For those wanting their conference or event to make a big impression, there are several conference rooms more than 650ft (200m) in the air for hire with stunning panoramic views from their floor-to-ceiling windows. This article was first published on November 15, 2024 Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: UK developing new 'deep precision strike' weapon with 1,242-mile range MORE: The European airport that takes you to three countries at once MORE: Speed camera catches a duck doing nearly double the limit twice in seven years
Scottish Sun
13-05-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
World's tallest apartment block twice as tall as The Shard reveals EYEWATERING price of 154th floor penthouses
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE world's tallest apartment block has revealed the price tag of its spectacular penthouses that sit sky-high on the 154th floor. Senna Tower in Santa Catarina, Brazil will stand at 1,780ft high - nearly twice the height of the Shard. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 8 Senna Tower will be 1,780ft high, nearly twice the height of the Shard Credit: Newsflash 8 The prices of the ultra-luxurious penthouses have been revealed Credit: Newsflash 8 The development is being built in Santa Catarina, Brazil Credit: Newsflash 8 Now the constructors of the ocean-side block in Balneario Camboriu have revealed the eye-watering cost of its two most luxurious residences. The block, named after Brazilian Formula 1 racing legend Ayrton Senna, will be topped by two spectacular triplex penthouses, initially estimated at an eye-watering £12 million each. Now it has emerged that the price for the for the sky scraping residences has risen to a breathtaking £40 million. Plans for the £400 million development include 228 apartments with 18 suspended mansions along with the two huge penthouses. read more news FINAL RIDE Moment world's tallest roller coaster is BLOWN UP and turned to pile of rubble Prices for the smallest apartments start at £3.7 million, with the triplex penthouses now sitting at an unbelievable £40 million. Eight ultra-speed lifts will whisk residents from floor to door in just seconds. The tower also has separate lifts to carry owners' cars to special high-rise garages. It will also have an exclusive residents-only 64,580 square feet rooftop garden and infinity pool. As well as luxury homes, the building will also contain luxury restaurants and designer shops open to the public. Engineers will use special Tunes Mass Dampers to minimise the phenomenon of building sway caused by strong winds. 8 Prices for the smallest apartments start at £3.7 million Credit: Newsflash 8 The cost of the triplex penthouses now sits at an unbelievable £40 million Credit: Newsflash 8 As well as luxury homes, the building will also contain luxury restaurants and designer shops open to the public Credit: Newsflash Senna, the three-time F1 world champion who the tower is named after, died at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix and is one of the most beloved motor racing legends of all time. The F1 star's niece, artist Lalalli Senna, who helped create the building said its design shooting into the sky shows his fight for success as the "Journey of the Hero". Senna explained: "The Senna Tower is a work of art of monumental proportions. "A symbol that inspires us to seek to overcome our limitations in order to express what is great within us. "The tower has this architectural form precisely to symbolise this heroic trajectory of overcoming our limitations towards our ideals and the manifestation of our profound potential." The triplex penthouses will reportedly be sold through British auction house Sotheby's. The tower is set to surpass New York's Central Park Tower to become the tallest residential tower globally, with construction expected to be completed by 2033. But the penthouses have a way to go to reach the gargantuan heights of the world's most expensive apartment. That's on top of Monaco's super exclusive Odeon Tower, and it last sold for an unbelievable £253 million.
The Irish Sun
13-05-2025
- Business
- The Irish Sun
World's tallest apartment block twice as tall as The Shard reveals EYEWATERING price of 154th floor penthouses
THE world's tallest apartment block has revealed the price tag of its spectacular penthouses that sit sky-high on the 154th floor. Senna Tower in Santa Catarina, will stand at 1,780ft high - nearly twice the height of the Shard. 8 Senna Tower will be 1,780ft high, nearly twice the height of the Shard Credit: Newsflash 8 The prices of the ultra-luxurious penthouses have been revealed Credit: Newsflash 8 The development is being built in Santa Catarina, Brazil Credit: Newsflash 8 Now the constructors of the ocean-side block in Balneario Camboriu have revealed the eye-watering cost of its two most luxurious residences. The block, named after Brazilian Formula 1 racing legend Ayrton Senna, will be topped by two spectacular triplex penthouses, initially estimated at an eye-watering £12 million each. Now it has emerged that the price for the for the sky scraping residences has risen to a breathtaking £40 million. Plans for the £400 million development include 228 apartments with 18 suspended mansions along with the two huge penthouses. read more news Prices for the smallest apartments start at £3.7 million, with the triplex penthouses now sitting at an unbelievable £40 million. Eight ultra-speed lifts will whisk residents from floor to door in just seconds. It will also have an exclusive residents-only 64,580 square feet rooftop garden and infinity Most read in The US Sun As well as Engineers will use special Tunes Mass Dampers to minimise the phenomenon of building sway caused by strong winds. 8 Prices for the smallest apartments start at £3.7 million Credit: Newsflash 8 The cost of the triplex penthouses now sits at an unbelievable £40 million Credit: Newsflash 8 As well as luxury homes, the building will also contain luxury restaurants and designer shops open to the public Credit: Newsflash Senna, the three-time F1 world champion who the tower is named after, died at the 1994 The F1 star's niece, artist Lalalli Senna, who helped create the building said its design shooting into the Senna explained: "The Senna Tower is a work of art of monumental proportions. "A symbol that inspires us to seek to overcome our limitations in order to express what is great within us. "The tower has this architectural form precisely to symbolise this heroic trajectory of overcoming our limitations towards our ideals and the manifestation of our profound potential." The triplex penthouses will reportedly be sold through British auction house Sotheby's. The tower is set to surpass New York's Central Park Tower to become the tallest residential tower globally, with construction expected to be completed by 2033. But the penthouses have a way to go to reach the gargantuan heights of the world's most expensive apartment. That's on top of Monaco's super exclusive Odeon Tower, and it last sold for an unbelievable £253 million. 8 The tower is set to surpass New York's Central Park Tower to become the tallest residential tower globally Credit: Newsflash
