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Police hunt gay man who gave his partner HIV
Police have launched a nationwide hunt for a gay man who has gone on the run after being convicted of recklessly passing on HIV to his partner.
Businessman Mark James, 47, was sentenced to three years and four months in his absence earlier this month when he failed to appear at Isleworth Crown Court in Middlesex.
He has been missing for almost a month and a warrant for his arrest has been issued by the court.
James was thought to have been the first gay man to be convicted of recklessly passing on the virus.
Detectives have made extensive efforts to trace him and are now appealing for the public's help to track him down.
Acting Detective Inspector Mike Sunman said: James had shown "total disregard" for the authority of the court and he added: "The victim has shown great courage and strength in supporting a police prosecution whilst being treated for the virus.
"As long as James is at large the victim will not be able to have the closure he so desperately wants.
"His victim showed great courage in coming forward and committing to a case which took almost two years to reach a successful conclusion."
James, formerly of Burgess Hill, West Sussex, did not tell his 38-year-old partner he had been diagnosed with the HIV virus in 2004
He continued having unprotected sex with him and the victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, found out later that year that he also had the virus.
The crime came to the attention of the police as they investigated allegations of domestic violence made by James's partner.
James was subsequently convicted of causing grievous bodily harm.
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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