A "callous, lying and violent" man who "recklessly" infected his gay lover with HIV is being hunted by police after failing to turn himself in.

Mark James, of Burgess Hill, Sussex, was found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm (GBH) by passing on the deadly virus to his 38-year-old partner while they were living together in Brentford during 2004.

James is the first man in the UK to be found guilty of infecting his partner.

Earlier this month, the 47-year-old florist was sentenced to three years and four months in jail but, when he failed to appear at Isleworth Crown Court on July 26 and August 4, he was jailed in his absence.

An arrest warrant was issued by the court and Hounslow police have made extensive enquiries to try and locate him.

Acting Detective Inspector Mike Sunman, Hounslow Police Community Safety Unit, said: "As long as James is at large the victim will not be able to have the closure he so desperately wants."

The crime first came to the attention of the police when they were investigating allegations of domestic violence made by his partner.

During the case, the court heard that James did not tell his partner that he had been diagnosed with the virus.

The victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, only learned of James' HIV status after falling seriously ill and learning that he himself had contracted the virus.

Had James warned him of the risk, he could have received a cocktail of drugs much earlier and possibly avoided the illness that landed him in hospital.

Sentencing James, Judge Jonathan Lowen said: "His conduct was callous because he took no steps to prevent his partner being in such jeopardy. It was also cruel because of the risk the defendant exposed him to is likely to affect the quality of his life and even the length of it."

James pleaded guilty to causing GBH but Judge Lowen said "there is an absence of any expression of remorse for the inevitable harm he has caused the victim".

Speaking outside the court after the hearing, the victim said: "I was really unwell - I thought I was dying - and the impact was huge. I felt hugely betrayed."

If caught, James will start his sentence straight away and could face extra time in jail for breaching his bail.

Anyone with information should call Hounslow Police on 020 8721 9104 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.