HIV accused ‘ did not trust diagnosis’

A hair dresser accused of deliberately infecting male lovers with HIV told one of his partners he did not have the virus because he did not trust his diagnosis by doctors, a court heard.

Felicity Gerry QC, defending, asked Daryll Rowe – who was diagnosed in April 2015 – why he had told one of his alleged victims he did not have HIV. Giving evidence on the stand yesterday, dressed in a blue suit, white shirt and blue tie, he said: “I told him I was HIV free. I thought I was clean. I didn’t trust the doctors.”

The 27- year- old, originally from Edinburgh who went on to live in Brighton and now of no fixed address, is standing trial at Lewes Crown Court facing allegations lodged by ten men that he deliberately set out to infect them with HIV. He has pleaded not guilt y to ten charges, five counts of grievous bodily harm with intent and five counts of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent.

In court, he repeatedly denied claiming to most of the men he was clear of the illness and that he tampered with condoms. He said he preferred to have unprotected sex. The trial continues.