Man jailed in Cheshire after recklessly infecting woman with HIV
It took 12 years since the investigation first opened for this sentencing to take place
Last updated 5th Apr 2023
A man who recklessly infected a woman with HIV has been jailed for 3 years at Chester Crown Court today- Tuesday 4 April.
It took 12 years since the investigation first opened for this sentencing to take place.
39-year-old Jermaine Scott was diagnosed with HIV in 2005 and had been prescribed medication to minimise the risk of transmission to others.
He and the victim had previously been in a relationship- which they rekindled in the summer of 2009.
When this restarted, Scott was not taking his tablets regularly meaning that there was a higher risk of transmission.
He also failed to inform the victim of his diagnosis and went on to have unprotected sex with her.
The victim became suspicious back in 2009 when the pair attended a clinic and Scott provided a false name and details.
She subsequently tested positive for HIV and the pair ended their relationship.
Following this, Scott left the Cheshire area.
Cheshire Police then launched an investigation to find him before he was arrested two years later, then subsequently deported when it was found he’d been in the country illegally.
During this investigation, Scott refused refused to answer any questions put to him by officers so the police were unable to gather sufficient evidence to charge him in relation to the incident.
Eventually, after evidence over the infection was presented to the Crown Prosecution Service, Scott was extradited and charged in connection with the incident.
This was after experts identified a number of genetic links between the strain of HIV that the victim had been diagnosed with and that of the offender.
Following the sentencing, Detective Sergeant Emma Myers, who the led the investigation 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.
“She will now live the rest of her life forever marred by the actions of Scott.
"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.”