Infection with a disease such as hepatitis C constitutes an 'injury' for the purposes of s 24 of the Crimes Act 1958 (Vic) irrespective of whether symptoms have manifested, and the seriousness of the injury is assessed at the time of infection by reference to the potential adverse consequences, not by reference to subsequent recovery or the availability of medical treatment. The development of new treatments after conviction does not constitute fresh evidence capable of undermining a conviction for causing serious injury by disease transmission.
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