Rugby star investigated over ‘infecting ex-lover with HIV’

GARETH THOMAS was investigated by police for allegedly infecting his former partner with HIV without disclosing he was positive with the virus.

The Welsh rugby star, who is a leading advocate for the HIV community, behaved “deceptively” and “failed to take reasonable care” to ensure he did not pass on the disease, according to papers lodged in the High Court.

Mr Thomas, 48, is being sued by Ian Baum, 59, who claims he only discovered the former Wales and Lions captain was Hiv-positive when he found his antiviral medication.

Mr Baum, a private carer who started an on-off relationship with Mr Thomas in 2013, alleges he then took an HIV test, which came back positive, and confronted his partner, who was “very repentant and apologetic”.

He is suing the former player for a six-figure sum for serious physical and mental injury, including loss of life expectancy of six to eight years.

It has also emerged that Mr Thomas was the subject of an investigation by Thames Valley Police following a complaint of grievous bodily harm (GBH) between December 2013 and June 2014.

However, this was wound up in 2018 because of insufficient evidence.

GBH is the offence under which others who have previously been accused of passing on HIV while not disclosing their status have been prosecuted.

Mr Thomas is expected to vigorously contest the allegations.

He came out as gay in 2009 after retiring from rugby and revealed he had HIV in 2019.

He is a patron of the Terrence Higgins Trust and also sits on the HIV Commission, which aims to end new cases in England by 2030.