Aids group slams jail term for HIV case chef

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Aids group slams jail term for HIV case chef

AIDS campaigners today claimed an Italian chef who recklessly infected his lover with HIV and hepatitis C should not have been jailed.

Giovanni Mola was jailed for nine years yesterday. He refused to wear condoms after beginning a sexual relationship with a woman in Edinburgh in 2003.

His victim, who cannot be identified, said she felt she had been handed a death sentence by Mola when she was diagnosed herself.

But Deborah Jack, chief executive of the National Aids Trust, said: "The National Aids Trust does not condone Giovanni Mola's actions in recklessly transmitting HIV to Miss X.

"However, it is important to understand that prosecuting people for reckless transmission of HIV is actually undermining efforts to stop the spread of HIV.

"Stigma and discrimination around HIV is increasing as people living with HIV are cast as criminals, making it even more difficult for them to tell other people.

"Sending Giovanni Mola to prison is not the way to deal with the HIV epidemic in Scotland and is likely to only make it worse."

http://news.scotsman.com/scotland.cfm?id=532912007

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HIV BEAST LOCKED UP FOR 9 YEARS

Judge blasts chef who infected virgin

By O'Hare

A CHEF was jailed for nine years yesterday for knowingly infecting his virgin girlfriend with HIV.

Giovanni Mola, 38, seduced the woman into unprotected sex despite knowing he had both HIV and hepatitis C.

Yesterday, he showed no emotion as judge Lord Hodge told him he was "chillingly callous".

The woman, named only as Miss X, was infected with both viruses.

Italian Mola, who boasted of more than 200 sexual partners, was found guilty of culpably and recklessly endangering her life after a trial in February.

Sentencing him at the High Court in Glasgow yesterday, Lord Hodge told him: "What you did to Miss X was chillingly callous and showed an utter indifference to her welfare. You repeatedly refused her request you should wear a condom.

"You did so in the knowledge that you had the viruses and could transmit them to her. This repeated refusal is a significant aggravation of your offence."

The judge added: "The combination of viruses can increase the prospect of an earlier onset of cirrhosis and liver cancer.

"She will have to take drugs with serious and debilitating side effects and may face hospitalisation. She may well face an early death.

"There is also the fact that your victim, as she told you, had no previous sexual experience and relied on your judgement as a sexually experienced person.

"You abused her trust. What you did has devastated her and may have blighted the rest of her life and shortened that life."

Lord Hodge recommended Mola, who has previous convictions for dishonesty and extortion, be deported after he is freed from jail.

He said: "I consider it is likely that you would continue to behave in an irresponsible way towards your partners if you were allowed to remain in the UK.

"I am therefore satisfied that there are strong grounds of public policy and public health which justify a recommendation for deportation."

The judge also called for measures to be taken to minimise the risk posed by Mola to women in his homeland.

The trial had been told Miss X broke down when she learned she had tested positive for HIV and Hepatitis C a month after her five-month relationship with Mola ended.

When she went to the police, Mola fled to Italy and had to be extradited in November 2004 to face trial.

Miss X was not in court to see Mola sentenced.

She is still seeing a psychologist and told the court during her evidence: "I feel like it's murder.

"I know it's a bit extreme, but I'm waiting to die."

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/tm_headline=hiv-beast-locked-up-for-9-years & method=full & objectid=18866428 & siteid=66633-name_page.html