Luke Davis, a 31-year-old man from Kidderminster, has been publicly identified for the first time after being imprisoned for deliberately infecting a sexual partner with HIV. Davis received a sentence of four years and six months for causing serious bodily harm to the victim by withholding his HIV-positive status and failing to adhere to necessary medication, which could have prevented transmission of the virus.
Despite being diagnosed with HIV in August 2017, Davis neglected medical advice to attend regular check-ups and take prescribed medication. Subsequently, he failed to disclose his HIV status to his partner, leading to the victim contracting the same strain of HIV found in Davis’s blood.
During the trial at Hereford Crown Court, it was revealed that Davis ceased medical appointments and medication intake in 2018 and 2019, respectively. The victim discovered their HIV-positive status during a routine screening in 2021, prompting them to report the incident to authorities. The victim expressed the profound impact of living with HIV due to Davis’s actions, emphasizing the lifelong consequences and emotional toll.
Judge Jackson, during the sentencing hearing, condemned Davis’s reckless behavior for selfishly exposing his partner to the risk of HIV contraction. While investigations confirmed Davis had multiple sexual partners, no additional victims have been identified at present.
Giovanni D’Alessandro of the CPS described Davis’s actions as reckless and selfish, resulting in irreversible harm. By discontinuing his medication regimen and failing to disclose his diagnosis, Davis endangered the victim’s health, leading to the transmission of the disease. The prosecution highlighted the criminal nature of Davis’s choices, emphasizing the lasting impact on the victim’s life.
Det Supt Gerard Smith of West Mercia Police commended the victim for their bravery in reporting Davis, emphasizing the ongoing medical treatment required as a direct consequence of Davis’s actions. The sentencing serves as a form of justice for the victim and aims to deter others from engaging in similar dangerous and irresponsible behavior.