HIV man in child-sex case

An HIV-positive man has been charged with indecently assaulting two children.

Rory Francis, 27, appeared in the Auckland District Court facing 18 charges relating to a girl and boy aged under 12.

Twelve of the charges are of performing an indecent act on a male and female under 12, five are for unlawful sexual connection and one is for sexual violation.

Police allege the offences occurred between February and this month.

Francis, unemployed, handed himself into Auckland Central police station on May 13 when he learned the children had spoken to adults about the alleged abuse.

He was initially charged with one offence and remanded in custody.

An additional 17 charges were laid this week after officers spoke to him and interviewed the two children.

His lawyer, Gareth Bostock, sought to have Francis bailed to an address on the North Shore where counselling could be provided.

Judge Phil Gittos said it was of particular concern that Francis was HIV-positive, which meant the risks to the children were "more profound".

The judge refused to grant bail, saying the risk of reoffending "cannot be ignored".

He remanded Francis in custody until a plea inquiry hearing next month.