Canberra Teacher Lied About Having Genital Herpes

An Australian court has sentenced a teacher who knowingly transmitted genital herpes to a woman after repeatedly lying about his health status. The case marks a rare legal precedent in Australia regarding the reckless transmission of sexually transmitted infections.

Daniel Marriott, who was 21 at the time of the crime, appeared in the ACT Supreme Court on May 6, 2026. Marriott had previously pleaded guilty to recklessly inflicting grievous bodily harm.

The court heard that Marriott was diagnosed with HSV2, a lifelong sexually transmitted infection known as genital herpes, in 2020.

In February 2023, Marriott arranged to meet a woman, with whom he was friends, at her apartment to have sex. Before the encounter, the woman asked Marriott when he had last been checked for sexually transmitted infections.

Marriott responded that he was clear, despite his knowledge of the disease. The pair subsequently had unprotected sex multiple times.

By March 2023, the woman began experiencing symptoms and tested positive for the infection. When she messaged Marriott to ask again when he had last been checked, he continued to lie about his status.

On May 6, 2026, acting Justice Paul Slattery handed Marriott a one-year-and-one-month intensive correction order.

put your own sexual desires above the safety and wellbeing of the victim

Acting Justice Paul Slattery

During the sentencing, Justice Slattery noted that this was the first time in Australia that the courts had grappled with this specific crime.

The legal proceedings have had immediate professional consequences for Marriott. He has been suspended without pay from his job as a teacher and is likely to lose his employment.