A hairdresser is to stand trial accused of infecting several lovers with HIV after allegedly ‘tampering with the condoms’ during sex.
Daryll Rowe was investigated after claims he tampered with condoms while having sex with the men in Brighton between October 2015 and January last year.
The 26-year-old was originally accused of infecting two men but the number has steadily increased and now stands at ten.
Daryll Rowe is to stand trial after claims he tampered with condoms while having sex with the men in Brighton
Rowe, who is HIV positive, denies all the charges against him of grievous bodily harm and attempted grievous bodily harm.
Last week Judge Christine Henson granted a further court order giving all the alleged victims lifetime anonymity.
The Crown Prosecution Service applied for the order because alleged victims of GBH are not awarded automatic anonymity as the crime is not covered by restrictions under sexual offences laws.
The defence team objected to an application for the men to give evidence from behind a screen or on camera for their protection but the application was granted.
The 26-year-old was originally accused of infecting two lovers but the number has steadily increased and now stands at ten
A nationwide police hunt for Rowe was launched last November after he failed to answer bail, with his disappearing act sparking public safety fears and questions about why he was repeatedly granted his freedom while facing serious charges.
As the search widened, his mother Michelle, from Edinburgh, urged him to give himself up, saying ‘We just want to know he’s safe. He needs to come back.’
He was later detained and charges were brought against him, leading to the forthcoming trial.
Rowe was born in Edinburgh and has family in Scotland, but had been living in Brighton where there is a large gay community.
As the hunt continued, officials urged anyone who may have had sex with Rowe to seek health advice.
Rowe, who is HIV positive, denies all the charges against him of grievous bodily harm and attempted grievous bodily harm
But at the time Brighton council and Sussex police only identified him as a man in his 20s with a Scottish accent.
His name was later confirmed by officials in Scotland and anyone who thought they might have had a sexual encounter with Rowe was urged to call the police, quoting Operation Brickhill.
The hairdresser is currently remanded in custody in Scotland but will be moved to Lewes to stand trial in October.
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