A RAPIST who deliberately gave a woman HIV is wanted by police after failing to appear for a sentencing hearing, in which he was imprisoned for a total 12 years.

Brian Tatenda Shayanowako, of Lower Adelaide Street, Northampton, was convicted by jury and sentenced in his absence of one count of rape after failing to appear for his trial, which concluded at Aylesbury Crown Court on Friday.

The 54-year-old was convicted of one count of assaulting a person thereby occasioning actual bodily harm against the same victim after pleading guilty at a previous hearing on August 19 at Aylesbury Crown Court.

During 2002 while Shayanowako was living in Slough, he injured the woman by pouring boiling water over her, scalding her chest and abdomen. During 2003 he raped the same victim.

He also pleaded guilty at the court hearing on August 19 to a count of recklessly wounding/inflicting grievous bodily harm. Shayanowako committed the offence between 2006 and 2010. He had unprotected sexual intercourse with a woman while knowing his HIV status, but without declaring it to her or taking steps to prevent transmission.

A warrant has been issued for his arrest, and officers are conducting enquiries nationally and internationally to locate him.

Speaking following the sentencing, the victim of the GBH stated: “If any person gets into my position they should not be afraid to get in contact with the police as from my experience they will get full support and will be treated with respect.

“The more this is reported, the more the people will realise the implications of their actions. Sexual health clinics also offer a lifeline, in terms of treatment and confidential advice and support.” Shayanowako was arrested for the GBH offence on February 21, 2011. He was arrested on suspicion of the rape and ABH on October 25, 2011 and was charged with the offences on October 7 last year.

Detective Constable Charlotte McDonald, investigating officer, speaking following the hearing, said: “Shayanowako denied raping his victim, forcing her to have to go through the ordeal of giving evidence in court. A jury has found him guilty of this offence. He had already admitted causing the same woman burns which she will have to live with for the rest of her life.

“We do not seek to criminalise those who live with HIV and we work closely with our partner agencies to ensure people are appropriately supported. However this was a case in which someone has admitted recklessly transmitting HIV to another person.

“These are very serious offences and these convictions send out a message that if you are victim of these kinds of offences, the police will listen to you and we will deal the matter with the upmost sensitivity.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the victims and the witnesses in this case for their bravery in speaking out against the defendant. It has been a very long, complex and intrusive investigation and this outcome could not have been achieved without the continuous co-operation and the evidence of the commendable victims.

“If you suspect you may have had sexual activity with someone which may have put you at risk of contracting HIV, you can get specialist advice and support and testing at your local sexual health or GUM clinic.” Shayanowako came to the UK in 2001 and has since lived in Slough and Milton Keynes, in addition to Northampton.

If you any information about Shayanowako’s whereabouts, contact the 24-hour Thames Valley Police enquiry centre on 101.