Alleged victim ‘let his guard down’ over accused in hairdresser HIV case

An alleged victim of a hairdresser accused of deliberately infecting his lovers with HIV said he was surprised when they had unprotected sex, a court was told.

The man said he had “lulled” himself “into a false sense of security” after meeting Daryll Rowe, Lewes Crown Court heard.

Rowe, 26, originally of Edinburgh, is alleged to have set out to spread the virus by pressuring his lovers into having unprotected sex and claiming he was free of the disease.

Rowe would also tamper with the condom if a partner forced him to wear one, the court heard. He is charged with five counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and five counts of attempted grievous bodily harm in relation to ten men.

The alleged victim was tested for HIV about ten weeks after having sex with Rowe and was confirmed with the illness on 14 March, 2016. In his police interview he said had been tested six months before and had been clean.

The man, who was crossexamined via videolink from Australia, told police he met Rowe on Grindr and met up with him for casual sex.

They went to Rowe’s flat. The alleged victim said he put condoms on the bed but they were not used.

On how he felt about Rowe, the man added: “I was starstruck, which I know sounds silly for someone I have just met. I let my guard down.”

The man said: “My mistake there in terms of my life, is that because I told him I did not want unprotected sex I thought he was not going to go against that.”

He added: “I lulled myself into a false sense of security.”

The court heard Rowe had previously asked this man if he was “clean”. The alleged victim said he “foolishly” did not ask the same question of Rowe.

The hearing was adjourned until 24 October.