A man from Worcestershire has been imprisoned for more than four years after a court found he knowingly infected a sexual partner with HIV.
Reckless Actions Lead to Conviction
Luke Davis, aged 31 and from George Street in Kidderminster, was convicted of inflicting grievous bodily harm. The court heard that he had sexual intercourse with the victim without disclosing his positive HIV status. Furthermore, he had stopped taking the medication prescribed to him that suppresses the virus and prevents its transmission.
His failure to take these crucial steps was described by the prosecution as "reckless". The judge agreed, stating that Davis's actions had directly led to the victim contracting the life-altering virus.
A 'Life Sentence' for the Victim
During sentencing, the profound impact on the victim was laid bare. The court was told that while Davis would serve a fixed prison term, his actions had imposed a "life sentence" of managing HIV upon the individual he infected.
The case, prosecuted by West Mercia Police, concluded on 12th January 2026. Davis received a custodial sentence of four years and six months. The first official police photograph of Davis was released following the sentencing hearing.
Legal Duty and Public Health
This case highlights the serious legal consequences of knowingly exposing others to serious infection. The conviction for grievous bodily harm sets a clear precedent about the responsibilities individuals have regarding their sexual health status.
Public health officials consistently emphasise that with modern treatment, people living with HIV who are on effective medication and have an undetectable viral load cannot pass on the virus. This case centred on the deliberate choice not to use available treatment or to inform a partner.
