Police appeal after HIV carrier recklessly infected woman

The appeal was issued as Simon McClure’s one known victim told how she has been left with a life sentence – while he could be freed in little over a year.

McClure, 38, was jailed for two years and eight months, but will serve a maximum of only half that – less the seven weeks he has spent on remand.

He was told by a Teesside Crown Court judge yesterday that he had ignored “clear advice” from doctors in having unprotected sex after he was diagnosed.

Police who investigated the case fear there may be more victims who do not know they have the virus, and urged them to come forward and seek help.

McClure, from Middlesbrough, became infected on one of his many trips to Thailand, and also visited Switzerland, where it is thought he used prostitutes.

He was diagnosed after returning from the Far East in 2006, but did not tell the people he had unprotected sex with, Alexander Menary, prosecuting, told the court.

His one known victim – identified in court only by her initials – discovered she was infected when she later became pregnant and had to have blood tests.

Her baby was born prematurely the following day. Tests have only recently given the child the all-clear.

Last night, the woman’s brother and aunt spoke to The Northern Echo and revealed how she is struggling to come to terms with how her life has changed.

The family said they were disappointed with the sentence of two years and eight months.

Her brother said: “You get more than that for burglary.”

Her aunt said: “We don’t think it is long enough. She has to live with this every day. She has got a life sentence. He will be out before Christmas next year.”

Detective Inspector Andy Greenwood, of Cleveland Police, said: “If anybody has any information in relation to McClure, they should come forward.

“The possibility exists that he has had relationships with other people that we are not aware of, and we would urge them to contact us immediately.

“He has now been sentenced to an appropriate period of custody, so they can come forward now and tell us about it and we can take the appropriate action.

“They can contact police on 01642-326326, and we can treat information anonymously. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111.”

A source close to McLure said last night that he had boasted about sleeping with hundreds of women.

His lawyer, Graham Brown, told Judge Howard Crowson he admitted being reckless, and added: “He hasn’t done what was right and proper.”

Mr Brown said: “He expresses through me his regret and he recognises it is only custody...the defendant is extremely regretful and remorseful.”

In a victim impact statement, the woman he infected told how she is now worried about passing on the virus, and says: “My life will never be normal again.”

She revealed she was rejected by a dentist and doctor, and has to ensure nobody touches her toothbrush and that cuts are carefully managed.

McLure, of Miniott Walk, Hemlington, admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm and was told by Judge Crowson that his risk-taking was premeditated.

The judge added: “I am sure you knew – everybody is aware – of the risks involved in having unprotected sex carrying HIV.

“Any form of intimate sexual relationship has a degree of mutual trust and you breached it by what you did.

“The effect on her has been devastating. She endured the fear, having given birth prematurely, that the child may also carry the virus... the happy news has been given that it does not.

“She will have to live with what is, unfortunately, still in this country, a stigma which attaches itself to people who carry this virus, even though she is not at fault for it.”

Det Insp Greenwood said after the case: “The victim will suffer for the rest of her life through the reckless and callous behaviour of this individual.

She is unable to have a normal life and carry out day-to-day activities through no fault of her own.”