Suspended sentence for German HIV singer Nadja Benaissa

An HIV-positive German pop star accused of infecting a former partner with the virus has been given a two-year suspended prison sentence, reports BBC News.

Nadja Benaissa, 28, was found guilty on one count of causing grievous bodily harm and two of attempted bodily harm. The No Angels singer had admitted having unprotected sex and keeping her HIV status secret, but denied deliberately infecting anyone.
At the trial, she said she was "sorry from the bottom of my heart." "I wish I could turn back the clock and make it all not happen," she told the court in the western town of Darmstadt.

As well as the two-year suspended sentence, Benaissa will be required to perform 300 hours of community service and attend regular counselling sessions.

Benaissa had sex with three people without telling them she was infected with HIV. One of them, a 34-year-old talent agent who was a plaintiff in the case, was confirmed as having contracted the virus.

"We had a very fair and speedy trial. The aim of the defence and my client was to have a verdict which led to probation and this was the result," Oliver Wallasch told the BBC.

"Today will be a turning point in her life, as she now knows that she will not be imprisoned. Her reaction was emotional because it was the end."