Man convicted over infecting other person with HIV

Luke Davis' victim said they had been left with a "life sentence"

A man has been convicted after recklessly infecting another person with HIV.

Luke Davis, 31, of George Street, Kidderminster, was on Monday found guilty at Hereford Crown Court of unlawfully and maliciously inflicting grievous bodily harm.

Davis, who had pleaded not guilty at previous hearings, is due to be sentenced on 12 January.

Speaking after the verdict, his victim said of Davis: "He has left me with a life sentence - I have gone from being healthy to living with a lifelong disease, HIV, which I now must accept and manage as a disability through no fault of my own."

The statement continued: "This diagnosis and the stigma attached to HIV has profoundly impacted my physical and mental health.

"It has left me with significant trust issues - feeling anxious and isolated, and it will continue to shape my life forever."

'First of its kind'

Davis's victim discovered they were HIV positive when they had a routine screening in 2021 and reported the matter to police, believing he had recklessly exposed them and others to the virus.

It was the first investigation of its kind carried out by West Mercia Police.

According to the force, the inquiry uncovered that Davis had been diagnosed as HIV positive in 2017 and although he initially remained compliant with his testing and medication, he disengaged completely from HIV care in 2019.

A police spokesperson said the investigation had also found that Davis had been "regularly sexually promiscuous" and had "several other sexual partners".

Subsequent testing of Davis and his victim by specialist doctors concluded that in their professional opinion there was a strong likelihood of a transmission between the two parties.

Officers made a public appeal, working closely with Public Health officials, for other potential victims to come forward, as well as signposting to sexual health clinics and HIV testing services.

No further victims have been identified to date.