Sichuan man jailed after soliciting sex despite HIV diagnosis
AM730 · 2 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago5 MIN
Summary
A district court in Yibin, Sichuan, has convicted a 43-year-old man surnamed Lui (呂) of the crime of spreading sexually transmitted disease after prosecutors said he knowingly solicited sex despite having HIV. The court in Xuzhou District sentenced him at first instance to one year in prison and imposed a fine of 2,000 yuan. According to the prosecution, the man had been diagnosed with HIV in 2019 and was receiving regular medication before carrying out five paid sexual transactions between May and August 2025. He later reported to police after being notified by phone, confessed truthfully and pleaded guilty, which the court treated as grounds for leniency.
Key Points
- The Xuzhou District People's Court in Yibin recently ruled at first instance that the 43-year-old defendant was guilty of spreading sexually transmitted disease.
- Prosecutors said the man, surnamed Lui, had known since 2019 that he was living with HIV and had been receiving regular drug treatment.
- Between May and August 2025, he allegedly engaged in five commercial sex transactions in Xuzhou District with two women identified as Hu and Sun.
- The prosecution said he paid 330 yuan to one woman and 200 yuan to the other for the sexual services involved.
- The court adopted the prosecution's sentencing recommendation and, on August 25, handed down one year in prison plus a 2,000-yuan fine.
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong readers, the case is a reminder that in the mainland legal system, the offence can be made out by knowingly engaging in prostitution-related acts while carrying a serious sexually transmitted disease, even without proof that another person was infected. It also shows how a guilty plea and truthful confession may affect sentencing, while still resulting in immediate custodial punishment.