Victim deliberately infected with HIV is denied payout ...because he heckled an MP
A MAN deliberately infected with HIV by a former lover has been denied compensation because he heckled an MP six years ago.
The anti-austerity protester claimed £22,000 after falling victim to sexual predator Daryll Rowe, 27, who targeted a string of men despite knowing he had tested positive for the virus.
But the compensation payment has been refused due to a legal loophole.
The man – who cannot be named for legal reasons but is known as ‘Matthew’ – was convicted in a Scottish court for threatening and abusive behaviour at a Conservative Party event in 2012.
In England, his conviction would have been ‘spent’ by now. But it stays on his record longer in Scotland, effectively banning him from claiming compensation until it is clear. Combined with the two-year time bar on appealing for compensation, it means Matthew had his payout withheld.
At the High Court in Edinburgh two weeks ago, unemployed hairdresser Rowe admitted four counts of culpable and reckless conduct. He was jailed for eight years.
Rowe had sex with his victims at his then home in Edinburgh and denied having the virus despite being asked if he did.
He is also serving a life sentence for ten similar offences in England – the first conviction of its kind in British legal history.
Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson and former UK Justice Secretary Lord Falconer have intervened with the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) on Matthew’s behalf.
The Labour peer said: ‘In 2012, Matthew was involved in a oneman demonstration in front of a Tory MP. There was no violence but he was convicted of abusive behaviour. In 2015, he was tarstopped geted by a man who was deliberately looking to infect others with HIV. Matthew was the first person to contact the police and report this man, Daryll Rowe, who was then convicted.
‘It’s absolutely shocking he is not entitled to compensation. He reported Rowe to the police. That was a public service and probably many others being infected. It really is an appalling policy.’
Matthew told news website BuzzFeed: ‘I have fallen through a massive bureaucratic trap. It’s just so frustrating because it means I can’t put this terrible event behind me. I want it all to be over.’
Each of Rowe’s victims are due up to £22,000 in compensation through the Ministry of Justice.
A spokesman said: ‘This was a repulsive crime and we have every sympathy for Matthew, as well as the other victims in this awful case.
‘The CICA compensation scheme clearly sets out that payments are reduced or refused if an applicant has an unspent conviction.
‘Those decisions can be appealed through both CICA and the courts and we are aware of an ongoing appeal in this case.’
‘It really is an appalling policy’