A callous lover who infected his partner with the HIV virus has been caught and jailed after more than three years on the run.

Mark James, formerly of Park Road, Burgess Hill, has been captured in Brighton and sent to prison to serve a prison term for causing grievous bodily harm to his boyfriend.

James, now 51, admitted the crime in court in 2006 but failed to appear in court to receive his sentence later that year.

Police appealed for the public’s help to catch him but he was not found until last Tuesday, when Metropolitan Police officers arrested him at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton.

He is believed to have spent most of his time on the run in France before returning to the UK for treatment for cancer recently.

He was taken to Isleworth Crown Court on Friday where he was ordered to serve the original term of three years and four months and another ten months for fleeing justice.

Detective Inspector Mike Sunman said: "We heard in court that James spent the time he was wanted living in France.

“I am grateful to the public who remained vigilant throughout the period he was at large and assisted the police.

“I would also like to thank the media who ran appeals when we were appealing for information."

James realised he had contracted HIV and syphilis in April 2004 but continued to have unprotected sex with his boyfriend - who cannot be named - telling him the doctor had diagnosed syphilis.

James later changed his story, telling his lover the doctor had diagnosed shingles.

His partner, who was given the all-clear after going for a checkup, continued their sexual relationship.

Months later he became seriously ill and was taken to hospital. Doctors found he had HIV and tests showed he must have contracted it from James between six days and six weeks previously.