A man knowingly infected a woman with HIV after failing to tell her of his diagnosis and take medication. Jermaine Scott was sentenced to three years in prison after admitted grievous bodily harm after he was extradited to the UK from Jamaica and arrested. Scott, 36 was first diagnosed with HIV in 2006 and given medication to reduce the risk of transmission. But at the start of his relationship with the victim, he was not taking the medication regularly, increasing the risk.
The two rekindled their romance in 2009 after previously dating, but Scott failed to inform the victim of his diagnosis and went on to have unprotected sex.
The pair later visited a sexual health clinic where Scott provided a false name and medical details, raising concern among the victim, who went on to test positive for HIV.
The relationship ended and the incident was reported to the police.
After an investigation and public appeal to locate Scott, he was arrested.
However, the police were not able to gather the evidence needed to charge Scott.
They did find that he was in the UK illegally and he was later deported in November 2011.
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The victim called for the case to be reopened shortly after, seeking the help of medical experts who found that it was highly likely she had been infected in the three months leading up to her diagnosis, the time she was in a relationship with Scott.
In November, Scott was extradited to the UK from Jamaica where he was arrested at Gatwick Airport.
During a hearing at Chester Crown Court on Tuesday Scott pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm and was handed a three-year prison sentence.
Following the sentence, Detective Sergeant Emma Myers said the victim will have to live her life “forever marred by the actions of Scott”.
Detective Myers said: “It has taken more than 12 years to reach this point, and having supported the victim throughout the investigation I have seen first-hand the pain and suffering that she has endured, both physically and psychologically.
“There is no cure and she will now have to take medication for the rest of her life. Scott’s actions have also affected her relationships with others and she no longer trusts men.
“While no sentence will ever be enough, I do hope that the fact that Scott is now behind bars and has been held accountable will provide her with some closure.”
