A MAN who recklessly infected his girlfriend with HIV has been jailed today.

Jermaine Scott, 39, appeared at Chester Crown Court after pleading guilty to grievous bodily harm for recklessly transmitting HIV to his girlfriend back in 2009.

After a 12-year investigation that involved Scott being extradited from Jamaica, the selfish criminal has finally been brought to justice.

Scott was diagnosed with HIV in 2005 and had been prescribed medication intended to minimise the risk of transmission to others.

In 2009, the man from Jamaica re-entered an old relationship with the victim in Runcorn. He had stopped taking tablets regularly, leading to a higher likelihood of transmission. He did not disclose his diagnosis, and the pair had sex without a condom.

After becoming suspicious, the victim took Scott to a sexual health clinic. Whilst there, he gave a fake name and false medical details to the health worker. The victim tested positive for HIV, leading to the break up of their relationship. Following this, Scott left the area.

The victim reported this to police in October of 2009. Following an investigation, he was arrested in February of 2011. Whilst there was initially insufficient evidence to prosecute, he was found to be in the UK illegally, and was deported to Jamaica.

Shortly after his deportation, the victim asked for the case to be reopened and detectives subsequently sought help from several medical experts.

It was revealed that it was highly likely that the victim had been infected with HIV in the three months prior to her diagnosis, while she was in a relationship with Scott.

In 2019, after a length investigation, evidence was presented to the Crown Prosecution Service, and an extradition warrant was issued in February 2020. He was returned to the UK in November of 2022.

Scott will spend three years in prison.

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.”