German HIV-positive pop star receives light prison sentence for infecting partner
August 27th, 2010 - 5:16 am ICT by BNO NewsDARMSTADT, GERMANY (BNO NEWS) – A German pop star, HIV positive, was sentenced on Thursday to two years of suspended prison term for infecting a former partner, BBC reported.
Nadja Benaissa, 28, admitted that she had unprotected sexual intercourse with three people despite knowing she was HIV positive between 200 and 2004 in at least five occasions. She has been aware of her HIV condition since 1999. Benaissa, the former singer of German pop band No Angels, was found guilty on one count of causing grievous bodily harm and two of attempted bodily harm. She was also sentence to 400 hours of community service and to attend regular counseling sessions.
The German singer said she was extremely sorry and denied deliberately infecting anyone. He said she wished she could turn the clock back and avoid what happened. The judge said Benaissa deserved a lenient sentence because she had confessed her irresponsible behavior, expressed remorse and learned to be responsible and deal with her illness.
Benaissa has a troubled past. She was a drug addict at the age of 14, became pregnant at 16, and then discovered she was HIV-positive at 17 during a routine blood test during her pregnancy.
The ex-member of the female group was arrested in Frankfurt last year before performing in a concert. She was charged in April.
No Angels became famous in 2000 thanks to the international TV show Popstars. After that they recorded a series of hits and emerged as Germany’s most successful girl band before splitting in 2003. No Angels reunited in 2007 and participated in the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest, finishing 23rd.
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