A convicted rapist who admitted deliberately infecting a woman with HIV is on the run from police after he was allowed to walk free from court by a judge who granted him bail.

Zimbabwean Brian Shayanowako, 54, failed to turn up for his rape trial after Judge Francis Sheridan allowed him to walk out of Aylesbury Crown Court on August 19.

The HIV-positive sex offender had already admitted GBH after having unprotected intercourse with his victim in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, between 2006 and 2010.

He pleaded guilty to recklessly inflicting GBH by having not declaring his HIV status or taking steps to prevent transmission.

HIV-positive rapist Brian Shayanowako (left) is being hunted by police after he failed to show up at court for sentencing - because he was out on bail by Judge Francis Sheridan (right)

Shayanowako also admitted one count of assaulting another woman by pouring boiling water over her head, chest and abdomen in 2002.

The was also charged of raping this second victim while he was living in Slough, Berkshire, which he denied.

But despite pleading guilty to the two serious offences and facing a rape trial, Shayanowako was still granted bail by Judge Sheridan.

He failed to appear for court for his trial which was due to start at the same court on Tuesday August 26 and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

The fugitive was convicted one one count of raping a woman over 16 by the jury in his absence jailed for a total of 12 years for all three offences last Friday.

He is now being hunted by Thames Valley Police who are conducting enquiries nationally and internationally to try and locate the monster.

A force spokesperson added: 'A warrant was issued for Shayanowako's arrest and officers are currently conducting enquiries nationally and internationally to attempt to locate him.

'If you any information about Shayanowako's whereabouts, please contact the 24-hour Thames Valley Police enquiry centre on 101.'

Yesterday, the family who had been living with Shayanowako for the last six years said they couldn't believe he granted bail after admitting the offences.

The rapist had been providing 24/7 care from David Lannagan, who lives in Daventry, Northants and suffers from an acquired brain injury.

Mr Lannagan's wife Sandra said the family, including children and granchildren, were now being tested for HIV for 'their own piece of mind.'

We can't believe what he has done. None of us knew about it at all. I don't understand why he wasn't kept in custody after he pleaded guilty

She added: 'He was the type of guy that would do anything for you. He used to do all David's personal hygiene, ifrncluding washing and shaving him. It is a total shock to us.

'I can't understand why nobody was informed about his charges and why it wasn't divulged about his HIV.

'We can't believe what he has done. None of us knew about it at all. I don't understand why he wasn't kept in custody after he pleaded guilty.'

Shayanowako had been employed by Northampton-based Friendly Support Services Ltd as a support worker for the past nine years.

Justin Manning, director of Friendly Support Services, said all the staff were in complete shock.

He added: 'I only found out on Monday after I got a phone call from somebody who had seen the story on the news.

'Everybody is in total shock; we can't believe this is what has happened. Staff thought they knew the man and thought he was a good guy.

'He has only ever been praised for his ability at work and is described as very professional in his work.'

Mr Manning said Shayanowako had been subject to all the required checks when he was employed in 2005, including criminal record checks.

But the Equality Act 2010 meant the company was not able to ask if a prospective employee had HIV and it was up to the employee to disclose their condition.

Mr Manning said that Shayanowako had not turned up for a shift on August 16 and the company had been unable to contact him since.

Shayanowako, of Northampton, was initially arrested for the inflicting grievous bodily harm offence on February 21, 2011.

He was then arrested on suspicion of the rape and inflicting actual bodily harm on October 25, 2011 and was charged with the offences on October 7 last year.

Aylesbury Crown Court heard that Shayanowako he injured a woman by pouring boiling water over her, scalding her chest and abdomen in 2002.

He then raped the same victim during 2003 while he was living in Slough before going on to infect the other woman with HIV.

Speaking after the sentencing, his HIV victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said: 'If any person gets into my position they should not be afraid to get in contact with the police as from my experience they will get full support and will be treated with respect.

'The more this is reported, the more the people will realise the implications of their actions. Sexual health clinics also offer a lifeline, in terms of treatment and confidential advice and support.'

Detective Constable Charlotte McDonald, from Thames Valley Police, added: 'Shayanowako denied raping his victim, forcing her to have to go through the ordeal of giving evidence in court.

'A jury has found him guilty of this offence. He had already admitted causing the same woman burns which she will have to live with for the rest of her life.

'We do not seek to criminalise those who live with HIV and we work closely with our partner agencies to ensure people are appropriately supported.

'However this was a case in which someone has admitted recklessly transmitting HIV to another person.

'These are very serious offences and these convictions send out a message that if you are victim of these kinds of offences, the police will listen to you and we will deal the matter with the upmost sensitivity.'