Man gets nine years for setting flatmate who gave him HIV alight

A MAN was sentenced to nine years in jail after he attempted to set his roommate, who gave him HIV, on fire.

The Romanian man believed that one of his eight housemates had given him the HIV virus, so in an act of rage and while his housemate was sleeping soaked him in paint thinner. He then flicked a cigarette on the man, who woke up in distress and on fire. He ran out into the street where he started rolling on the floor in an attempt to put out the flames.

He was eventually taken to the Nicosia General hospital where he was treated for second degree burns, which could leave permanent scarring on his neck, ear and various other body parts.

Although it was accepted that the burn victim had in fact given the perpetrator HIV, it was not revealed in court how this had come about, indicating that it was not malicious.

On Friday the three presiding judges issued a nine-year sentence to the man who pleaded guilty to the charge of causing actual bodily harm and to the charge of intention to cause actual bodily harm. When announcing the sentence judge Harris Solomonides commented the bodily harm caused in this case was particularly savage.

Solomonides told the defendant: “The victim has suffered greatly and will live with his scars for the rest of his life. We also have taken into account that the victim was sleeping during the attack and you gave him no chance to defend himself.”

In closing, the judges told the defendant that while he is in jail, he would receive all the medical treatment and support he needs in fight against HIV.