'Predatory' rapist could have given HIV to hundreds of men as police launch appeal

A man convicted of rape and reckless transmission of HIV could have given the sexually transmitted disease to hundreds of men, according to police.

Jonathan Carl, 42, of Hornchurch, east London, was jailed for 17 years in June after he was found guilty of one count of rape and pleaded guilty to one count of grievous bodily harm.

The Metropolitan Police believes Carl, who used multiple dating apps including Grindr and Scruff, had sexual contact with up to 400 men between 2019 and 2023.

Of those, detectives have spoken to 82 men, with officers saying some of them had tested positive for HIV.

But they think up to 318 others need to be identified and also tested for the disease, as police appealed for potential victims to come forward.

Carl, who police described as a "predatory individual", was arrested in January 2024 after two men reported allegations of rape with the offences said to be in October 2022 and August 2023.

A victim, in a statement, said: "(I felt) powerless, I felt like there was nothing I could do. It made me feel like I didn't matter, it made me feel less than human.

"The main reason I came forward to police, is because I wanted to stop this from happening to anyone else."

Another said: "It has damaged me from having any sort of romantic relationship in the future, due to people's overall thoughts on HIV.

"It makes me fry my brain as I overthink about what I could have done differently. I still struggle with this guilty feeling."

Carl was convicted at Snaresbrook Crown Court. He was also served with a 15-year sexual prevention order where he has to tell police within three days of having a new sexual partner and has to disclose his HIV status if he is not taking his medication.

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Appeal for victims to come forward

Detective Chief Inspector Sarah Bishop said: "Our investigation uncovered the scale of Carl's offending and ensured he was brought to justice.

"But we remain extremely concerned about the wellbeing of those who have not yet been identified. We believe as many as 318 men may be a victim, and might need to come forward for testing and support.

"You may have met Carl through an online dating platform, or visited his home address in Hornchurch, which is distinctively located above a fish and chip shop.

"Your health and wellbeing are our absolute priority. We are working closely with NHS partners and charities to ensure anyone affected can access confidential testing, advice, and support. Please be assured you are not alone - we are here to help."

Anyone who may have had contact with Carl is urged to get in touch with detectives directly on 0207175273 or email survivors@met.police.uk