HIV-positive man
found guilty of recklessly infecting woman

An Italian man has been found guilty of knowingly infecting his former partner with HIV and hepatitis C, reported the BBC. Giovanni Mola, 38, admitted to recklessly failing to say he had HIV and endangering a woman's life during their five-month relationship.

During the trial, the jury heard how Mola never wore condoms and "aggressively" refused to do so. The defendant denied claims that he'd had sex with 200 women. The jury of eight women and seven men took 80 minutes to deliberate the case; Mola sat stone-faced during the verdict.

Judge Lord Hodge of the High Court of Glasgow condemned Mola's indifference to his victim, known as Miss X, saying, "You've been convicted of a very serious sexual offense against Miss X. You've caused her lasting damage. While you've been struck by tragedy in acquiring HIV and hepatitis C from a former girlfriend, it's deeply disturbing that you should have been prepared to show such indifference to the health and welfare of Miss X."

Mola, an Italian chef, had been infected with HIV and hepatitis C from a former girlfriend. Miss X and he started their relationship in the summer of 2003 after talking in a shop. The victim told the court that she had been a virgin before she met Mola. She tested positive in March 2005, a month after the affair ended.

According to the BBC, during the trial Miss X told the jury, "I feel like it's murder. I know it's a bit extreme, but I'm waiting to die."

After being arrested, Mola had gone on the lam to Italy before being extradited to Scotland last summer. He will return to the High Court of Glasgow on March 7 for sentencing. (The Advocate)