The Crown Office has today produced guidance on the "intentional or reckless sexual transmission of, or exposure to, sexually transmitted infections," five years after the landmark prosecution of Giovanni Mola, convicyted in 2007 of knowingly infecting his former partner with HIV and Hepatitis.

The Mola prosecution was conducted by Dorothy Bain QC, who later headed up the Crown Office National Sex Crimes Unit. She is now an advocate with the Ampersand stable.

The Lord Advocate, Frank Mulholland said the policy now sets out clear guidance to prosecutors on cases where there is an allegation of sexual transmission of, or exposure to, infections which have serious, and potentially life-threatening consequences for the person infected.

"We are publishing this guidance because we recognise that it is important to provide clarity and consistency on this area of the law," he added.