Man jailed for hiding HIV status
An HIV-positive Singaporean man has been sentenced to 18 months jail for engaging in sex with his male partner without disclosing his HIV status.
The 27-year-old and his partner, now 37, had reportedly engaged in oral and anal sex in January 2009.
The accused was diagnosed with HIV in 2008 but did not inform his partner despite being aware of the risk of infection.
Local news agencies reported that the offender was concerned about the social impact of revealing his HIV status amongst the couple’s friends and told the court he did not intend to harm his partner.
He added that they had protected sex.
His partner has since been diagnosed with HIV but the prosecution could not confirm that the accused had infected him, The Straits Times reported.
The maximum punishment is two years’ jail and a $5000 fine.
