A man infected his lover with the HIV virus and had unprotected sex with a string of other women while infected was jailed for 10 years on Thursday.

Mark Devereaux, 41, infected one woman - who was carrying his twins - with the virus. She had to terminate the pregnancy after finding out he was HIV positive.

He had known for years of the risk he posed but said nothing to any of the women he duped.

At the High Court in Dumbarton, Judge Lord Pentland told Devereaux that the four woman involved had been left "devastated" by his behaviour

The judge said: "You repeatedly and regularly had sexual relations with a number of women, knowing you could pass the virus onto them. You chose not to inform any of your partners that you had the virus and took no precautions.

"You infected one woman, who had to abort twins because of fears they would have the virus.

"The woman involved have been devastated by your behaviour. The woman infected has to receive regular treatment and must live with this hanging over her for the rest of her life.

"You have behaved with a gross level of recklessness, and with a total indifference to those you had relations with."

See reaction from one of Devereaux's victims and an HIV charity>

Devereaux, of Dundee, pleaded guilty last month to four charges of culpable and reckless conduct.

He admitted that between 2003 and 2008 he had engaged in sexual activity, knowing he was HIV-postive, without wearing a condom, and with a total disregard for the consequences. The offences were committed in Tayside and the North-east of Scotland.

Defence Advocate, Ronnie Renuci, said that Devereaux "didn't set out to deliberately harm anyone".

The defence advocate added: "He made clear to me that he did not want any of the complainers to go through the trauma of giving evidence, and that he didn't want them to go through anymore pain because of his actions, and that's the reason for his early plea."

The court heard that Devereaux's job as a chef had taken him around the country and abroad. He had been diagnosed as HIV-positive in 1994. A partner at that time was also found to be infected, but it was not clear whether he had known of his condition when they began their relationship.

Later, in the summer of 2008, while Devereaux was working offshore, his then-partner found a letter stating that he was HIV positive.

Initially, Devereaux denied any knowledge, but then stated that he had only known for about a year. The woman was tested and was found to have caught HIV.

Alex Prentice, QC,  prosecuting, said: "It was also discovered that she was three months' pregnant with twins, the accused being the father. In light of her diagnosis, she eventually made the decision to terminate the pregnancy."

Devereaux was interviewed by police and admitted having unprotected sex with the four women, without disclosing to any of them that he was HIV-positive. The other three, aged 34, 23 and 27, were contacted and tested negative for HIV.

Devereaux claimed to have been "in denial" about his condition because he had not suffered any ill-health and had not required medication. He said he had been able to "completely forget" about his HIV status.

But the court heard there was evidence to dispute that, in particular records of medication dispensed from Ninewells Hospital in Dundee.

Devereaux hung his head in shame as he was led away to the cells.

Commenting, Detective Inspector Martin Dunn, of Grampian Police, who led the inquiry, said it had been a "complex case".

In an interview with STV, he said: "We had to do a lot of background inquiry on Mr Devereaux and the sexual relationships he has been involved in. We looked at his background and created a timeline of his lifestyle.

"One victim put us in touch with other people who he thought he had been in relationships with.

"Throughout Mr Devereaux took the stance that he has not explained his reasoning for not explaining he was HIV positive and he has not taken the opportunity to explain who his partners were.

"Why he chose to do this we will never know.

"I would imagine some of his partners would like to know why he did not tell them."