HIV rapist from Northampton (UK) believed to be hiding in Zimbabwe

A convicted rapist from Northampton who knowingly infected a woman with HIV is believed to be hiding in Zimbabwe.

Brian Tatenda Shayanowako, aged 54, of Lower Adelaide Street, Semilong, Northampton, was convicted by jury and sentenced in his absence of one count of rape after failing to appear for his trial, which was held at Aylesbury Crown Court in August.

Shayanowako was convicted of one count of assaulting a person thereby occasioning actual bodily harm against the rape victim after pleading guilty at a previous hearing.

Shayanowako had also previously admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm by transmitting the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) to another woman.

After he failed to appear for his trial, a warrant for his arrest was issued by Thames Valley Police and officers believe he may have fled to Zimbabwe.

A Thames Valley Police spokeswoman said: “TVP believe Shayanowako is in Zimbabwe and, as a result, officers are liaising with the appropriate international authorities to attempt to locate him.”

During his trial the court heard that Shayanowako injured one of his victims by pouring boiling water over her, scalding her chest and abdomen. He also had unprotected sexual intercourse with a woman while knowing his HIV status, but without declaring it to her or taking steps to prevent transmission. Northampton Chronicle & Echo