Ottawa man's sex partners warned to get care

Police have taken the "extraordinary measure" of releasing the photo of an Ottawa manto warn people he had sexual relations with to seekmedical followup.

Steven Paul Boone, 29, remained in custody Fridayafter being charged with nine counts of aggravated sexual assault, said an Ottawa police news release.

The charges were laid after another man alleged in April that he contracted an infectious disease after sexual contact with Boone in late January and early February. Police said they could not disclose the nature of the disease, including whether it was HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

Police believe Boone had multiple sexual partners in recent months and that he approached them using the internet.

Acting Chief Gilles Larochelle said releasing Boone's photo is an "extraordinary measure," but is warranted to ensure all his sexual partners are informed and get medical care.

Under the Criminal Code of Canada, the definition of aggravated sexual assault includes endangerment of life, including exposure to a disease that may endanger life.

In 2008, a Windsor, Ont., man was sentenced to 18 years in prison after being convicted of aggravated assault for knowingly exposing15 women to HIV, including five who became HIV-positive.