A man who set out to deliberately infect victims with HIV has been jailed. At the High Court in Edinburgh yesterday, Daryll Rowe pled guilty to four incidents, whereby he intentionally had unprotected sex with partners, while fully aware that he carried HIV.
The 27-year-old, who was diagnosed in April 2015, would meet men using online dating apps and enter into sexual relationships without disclosing his illness. During contact with victims Rowe would either refrain from wearing a condom, or tamper with them, as he looked to deliberately infect others.
Between October 2015 and December 2016 he continued to commit similar offences within Edinburgh, as well as Sussex and North East England.
After pleading to the four counts of culpable and reckless conduct, the Edinburgh hairdresser was sentenced to eight years in prison and placed on the sex offenders register for life. He is currently serving a life sentence in England, and the sentences will run concurrently.
Detective Chief Inspector Martin MacLean from Edinburgh’s Public Protection Unit said, “Daryll Rowe is a devious and deceptive predator who has shown absolutely no remorse for the extensive suffering and distress he has caused his victims.
“Since April 2015 he was fully aware of his illness, yet refused treatment that would ensure his own health and safeguard his sexual partners from the risk of infection. To make matters worse, he would then knowingly engage in sexual activity with individuals he met without divulging his condition.
“Rowe would then go to great lengths to ensure he put partners at risk of contracting HIV, demonstrating the callous and reckless nature of his character.
“Signifant enquiries were conducted by not only Police Scotland, but colleagues in England, resulting in Rowe’s arrest and subsequent custodial sentences.
“It is my sincere hope that all of those affected by Daryll Rowe’s calculated criminality feel some sense of justice following today’s outcome.”
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