A German girl band singer broke down in tears yesterday as a court found her guilty of causing bodily harm to her ex-boyfriend by having unprotected sex with him despite knowing she was infected with HIV. She was not sentenced to jail time.

Nadja Benaissa, 28, a member of No Angels, was given a two-year suspended prison sentence and 300 hours community service after she was convicted in a Darmstadt administrative court. She faced a possible 10 years behind bars.

The court ruled that Benaissa infected a former boyfriend with the virus that causes Aids by having unprotected sex with him.

During the trial Benaissa acknowledged she had unprotected sex despite knowing she was HIV-positive and said it was a big mistake.

"I'm sorry from the bottom of my heart," Benaissa said.

"I wish I could turn back time and make everything undone. But I know that he will never forgive me."

The man who claimed Benaissa infected him said they had a three-month relationship at the beginning of 2004 and he got tested after Benaissa's aunt asked him in 2007 whether he was aware that the singer was HIV-positive.