Edinburgh hairdresser Daryll Rowe pleads guilty to infecting victims with HIV

An Edinburgh hairdresser who set out to deliberately infect victims with HIV has been jailed.
Daryll Rowe, 26, during a police interview where he denied having HIV in Sussex. He pled guilty in High Court in EdinburghDaryll Rowe, 26, during a police interview where he denied having HIV in Sussex. He pled guilty in High Court in Edinburgh
Daryll Rowe, 26, during a police interview where he denied having HIV in Sussex. He pled guilty in High Court in Edinburgh

Daryll Rowe, originally from Musselburgh, pled guilty culpably and recklessly exposing the four men to the risk of contracting HIV at the High Court in Edinburgh on Friday May 4, admitting he intentionally had unprotected sex with partners.

The 27-year-old, who was diagnosed in April 2015, would meet men using online dating apps and enter into sexual relationships without disclosing his illness.

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During contact with victims Rowe would either refrain from wearing a condom, or tamper with them, as he looked to deliberately infect others.

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Between October 2015 and December 2016 he continued to commit similar offences within Edinburgh, as well as Sussex and North East England.

After pleading to the four counts of culpable and reckless conduct, he was sentenced to eight years in prison and placed on the sex offenders register for life.

Detective Chief Inspector Martin MacLean from Edinburgh’s Public Protection Unit said: “Daryll Rowe is a devious and deceptive predator who has shown absolutely no remorse for the extensive suffering and distress he has caused his victims.

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“Since April 2015 he was fully aware of his illness, yet refused treatment that would ensure his own health and safeguard his sexual partners from the risk of infection. To make matters worse, he would then knowingly engage in sexual activity with individuals he met without divulging his condition.

“Rowe would then go to great lengths to ensure he put partners at risk of contracting HIV, demonstrating the callous and reckless nature of his character.

“Signifant enquiries were conducted by not only Police Scotland, but colleagues in England, resulting in Rowe’s arrest and subsequent custodial sentences.

“It is my sincere hope that all of those affected by Daryll Rowe’s calculated criminality feel some sense of justice following today’s outcome.”

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Speaking after the sentencing, Procurator Fiscal for Sexual Offences, Kenny Donnelly said:

“There is no doubt that Daryll Rowe knew what he was doing and that had no regard for the safety of his victims or the consequences of his actions.

“The fact that his victims had the courage to come forward to report what had happened to them has allowed us to bring him to justice.”