Jonathan Carl, 42, was sentenced to 17 years in prison on 29/8 for rape at the Old Bailey Criminal Court, according to the Metropolitan Police website. Carl had previously pleaded guilty in June to grievous bodily harm.
Initially, police received allegations from two victims. However, their investigation revealed Carl's extensive use of dating apps like Grindr and Scruff. He typically met 3 to 4 men daily, having unprotected sex with approximately 400 men between 2019 and 2023 without disclosing his HIV status.
Police have identified 82 victims, some of whom have tested positive for HIV. Authorities are urging over 300 other men believed to have had sexual contact with Carl to come forward for testing and support.
"This investigation has exposed the full extent of Carl’s offending and ensured he is held accountable", Chief Inspector Sarah Bishop said. "We are deeply concerned about the health of those men who have not yet been identified. We believe there could be as many as 318 men who may be victims."
Analysis of Carl's phone messages revealed further non-consensual acts. "He is a predatory individual", Detective Inspector Basford added. "We have messages and evidence that suggest some of the victims were raped but have not reported to police."
Intentionally or recklessly transmitting sexually transmitted diseases is illegal in the UK, according to the BBC. Under the Offences Against the Person Act, this constitutes grievous bodily harm.
The investigation began in 1/2024 after two men reported Carl's actions, which occurred in 8/2023 and 10/2022. He was subsequently arrested. One victim told police he felt "powerless, unable to do anything". "The main reason I reported it was because I wanted to stop this from happening to anyone else," he said.
Another victim shared, "This has destroyed my ability to have any romantic relationships in the future. It's caused me to overthink what I could have done differently and I'm still struggling with feelings of guilt."
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Jonathan Carl. Telegraph |
Jonathan Carl. Telegraph
Health experts say the case highlights not only criminal behavior but also gaps in public HIV awareness. Despite increased public health campaigns, misconceptions and apathy about HIV transmission persist. This lack of information, coupled with the rise of dating apps, facilitates the spread of HIV. The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) estimates that 39 million people globally were living with HIV at the end of 2023, with Africa most affected at 25.9 million.
One common misconception is that HIV only affects specific groups, leading to complacency when meeting strangers online. In reality, anyone engaging in unprotected sex is at risk. While condoms are often seen as foolproof, doctors emphasize their effectiveness depends on consistent and correct usage.
PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), a medication for HIV-negative individuals at high risk (such as those with HIV-positive partners or engaging in unprotected sex), is an effective preventative measure, yet remains largely unknown. Few dating app users actively seek information about it.
Regular HIV testing is crucial, especially for those with multiple partners or complex sexual histories. Early detection enables timely treatment and prevents further transmission. This is not only self-protection but a community responsibility.
Binh Minh (BBC, Telegraph, Metropolitan Police, Medicalnewstoday)
