Life sentence for man who deliberately infected people with HIV
A man who set out on a deliberate campaign to infect men in Brighton with HIV has been jailed for life.
Daryll Rowe was found guilty by a jury at Lewes Crown Court on 15 November last year of five counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and five counts of attempted grievous bodily harm with intent by deliberately infecting his victims with HIV in the Sussex area between 1 October 2015 and 31 January 2016. At least four of the men have contracted HIV. Sentencing was adjourned for psychiatric reports to be prepared.
Appearing at Brighton Crown Court on Wednesday (18 April) for sentencing,
Rowe was told by the judge Christine Henson that he would most probably pose a risk and danger to others for the rest of his life.
She said: "After considering all the aggravating features and considerable premeditation in this case, I sentence you to life imprisonment."
Rowe was told he would have to serve at least a minimum of 10 years before he would be considered for release.
The seven-week trial heard that hairdresser Rowe was arrested in February 2016 after police were contacted by a health clinic in Brighton who noticed similarities in how two of their clients reported contracting HIV. Police issued warnings to the public about an unnamed man who had been infecting people with HIV in Brighton. Articles also appeared in the national press after Rowe was named on social media.
But right from his initial interview with police, Rowe denied having HIV and denied infecting others.