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Criminal law – Assault. The appellant was diagnosed with genital herpes. He entered into a sexual relationship with the victim, but did not tell her about that diagnosis. The victim was diagnosed with genital herpes. The appellant pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm contrary to s 20 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 and was sentenced to 14 months custody. The appellant appealed against conviction and sentence. Dismissing the appeal against conviction, the Court of Appeal, Criminal Division, held that there had been sufficient evidence to sustain a charge under s 20 of the Act. Further, the appellant had not been failed by his legal representative in the preparation of his case in such a way as to call into question the safety of his conviction. Furthermore, the appellant's guilty plea had been a properly informed, voluntary and unequivocal plea of guilty. Regarding the appeal against sentence, the initial sentence had been appropriate. However, there had been a substantial delay which had not been of the appellant's own making. In those circumstances, a course would not be taken which would necessitate the appellant's return to custody.
Criminal law – Assault. The appellant was diagnosed with genital herpes. He entered into a sexual relationship with the victim, but did not tell her about that diagnosis. The victim was diagnosed with genital herpes. The appellant pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm contrary to s 20 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 and was sentenced to 14 months custody. The appellant appealed against conviction and sentence. Dismissing the appeal against conviction, the Court of Appeal, Criminal Division, held that there had been sufficient evidence to sustain a charge under s 20 of the Act. Further, the appellant had not been failed by his legal representative in the preparation of his case in such a way as to call into question the safety of his conviction. Furthermore, the appellant's guilty plea had been a properly informed, voluntary and unequivocal plea of guilty. Regarding the appeal against sentence, the initial sentence had been appropriate. However, there had been a substantial delay which had not been of the appellant's own making. In those circumstances, a course would not be taken which would necessitate the appellant's return to custody.
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