HIV accused's identity still suppressed

The man accused of intentionally infecting men and women with HIV still cannot be named after his lawyer argued that media reports still available on the internet could be "prejudicial" to the case.

The 40-year-old's lawyer - Kevin Brosnahan - argued that some media reports on the internet could endanger his client's right to a fair trial.

The man had previously been charged with three counts of infecting with disease and one of attempted infecting with disease.

He appeared in the Auckland District Court today to face an additional eight charges: four charges of wounding with reckless disregard, one more charge of infecting with a disease, another of attempting to infect with disease and two of attempting to wound with reckless disregard.

Arguing for continued interim name suppression, Mr Brosnahan said he would be approaching media about articles he said were of a "prejudicial nature".

He gave the court details of the media reports, but they cannot be published for legal reasons.

The accused's occupation was also suppressed and he was remanded in custody until this Friday.

Crown prosecutor Phillip Hamlin said the eight new charges included two new complainants.

Police charge sheets say the man is accused of infecting a man and a woman with an "immunodeficiency virus".

The court last month heard that the accused also had hepatitis B and chlamydia.

The six victims of the alleged offending are said to be between the ages of 19 and 32 and include seven men and one woman.

Auckland police allege the man profiled himself as a 32-year-old on website and telephone dating services and attempted to solicit partners from throughout the country and possibly overseas.

Police found the man in Auckland's Mission Bay, where he had rented a motel room, on Thursday May 28 after receiving a formal complaint from a member of Auckland's gay community.

The complainant said the 40-year-old had sought unprotected sex, and had infected him with HIV.

The accused has been held in custody since his court appearance that day. In declining bail at his first hearing, Judge Bouchier said she was concerned 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."

- With NZHERALD STAFF and NZPA