Bail refused for man facing HIV charges

A 40-year-old HIV-positive man accused of infecting three men with the virus and attempting to infect a fourth was granted interim name suppression in Auckland District Court yesterday.

The charges relate to three men - aged 17, 24 and 26 - and attempting to infect a fourth, aged 31.

The court was told the defendant had been sexually active with men and women in the Auckland and Wellington districts.

Maria Mortimer, representing the accused, requested bail and interim name suppression for three weeks until his next appearance on June 19.

"There has been huge media interest in this case. It would be fair in the interests of justice for him to contact his family himself."

Crown prosecutor Phil Hamlin said he would oppose name suppression beyond the accused's next appearance.

He said the accused was found on Thursday by police in Auckland's Mission Bay, where he had rented a motel room.

Ms Mortimer accepted the charges were very serious.

"This is a matter that will be defended. A trial could be up to a year away," she said.

She argued it would not be in the defendant's interests to remain in custody.

Judge Josephine Bouchier granted interim name suppression but remanded the accused in custody until his next appearance.

She said the maximum penalty was seven years in prison for attempting to infect someone with HIV, and 14 years for infecting with HIV.

The court heard the accused also has hepatitis B and chlamydia.

Judge Bouchier said the men who had been infected would never be cured.

She said she was concerned that if the accused was given bail, he might interfere with complainants and witnesses.

"He has contacted one complainant several times and asked him not to contact police. The victims are fearful of him being granted bail.

"I don't believe the court could make any bail conditions which would prevent the defendant from having access to the internet and continuing internet dating."

- NZPA