An HIV-positive woman who jabbed a 12-year-old boy with a needle filled with infected bodily fluids after he flushed her drugs stash down the toilet has been jailed for 16 months.
Dundee Sheriff Court previously heard Jacqueline O’Neil “culpably and recklessly” pricked the youngster, who cannot be named for legal reasons, with the uncapped needle at her home in Dundee.
O’Neil, 32, of Gourdie Place, Dundee, had pleaded guilty on indictment to a charge of culpable and reckless conduct and a further charge of assault.
Defence solicitor Gary McIlravey said: “The public perception of her is she is some kind of monster.
“She was assaulted in the street by two women – she is easily recognisable.
“The stigma of this offence will stay with her for some considerable time.
“Had she not let her lifestyle decline to the extent she did this would not have happened.”
Sheriff Lorna Drummond QC jailed O’Neil for 16 months, saying: “This is a very serious charge. You put the boy’s health at risk by your reckless conduct.
“It is a very serious matter indeed. You accept none of this would have happened if you were not involved in drugs.
“You disputed how he came to have this puncture wound – but I had no difficulty believing him over you.
“Given the very serious nature of your conduct and the serious danger he was put in only custody is warranted.”
