A man accused of knowingly infecting a woman with HIV will face a court trial next year.
Jermaine Scott, 39, appeared at Chester Crown Court on Friday morning via videolink where he spoke to confirm his identity. Scott faces one charge of Section 20 assault causing grievous bodily harm (GBH) over an incident alleged to have occurred in Runcorn in 2009.
He was due to enter his plea on Friday but no arraignment was taken. Legal counsel and Judge Michael Leeming agreed on a provisional trial date of May 2, 2023, with a three-week estimate.
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A timetable was fixed for prosecution and defence statements. Further case management will take place on January 30.
Scott was remanded in custody. The ECHO was advised by the court that January 30 is when a plea may be taken.
Judge Leeming made a court order granting the complainant anonymity, to last indefinitely. Anna Pope appeared for the Crown, in person, and Khurram Arif for the defence, by videolink.
Scott was extradited to the UK from Jamaica at the start of November and arrested at Gatwick Airport, before being charged by Cheshire Police.
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