A man accused of deliberately infecting seven men with HIV has told jurors he disclosed his medical status to partners before having sex.
Prosecutors claim Adam Hall had sex with younger men he met online or at bars in Newcastle, but did not tell them he was HIV positive, did not use protection and did not take the drugs he should have to make him non-infectious.
Hall, 43 and from Washington, denies raping five men and seven counts of inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent.
When asked about one of the complainants, he told Newcastle Crown Court the man seemed unbothered when Hall told him he was HIV positive.
The jury has heard Hall was diagnosed with HIV in August 2010.
He previously told the court he had no intention to cause harm or deliberately pass on the disease.
On the third day of giving evidence, Hall was asked about the fourth and fifth complainants, both of whom allege rape and the infliction of grievous bodily harm with intent.
In relation to the fourth man, Hall’s barrister Craig Hassall KC said it was being suggested by prosecutors that Hall had intended to “deliberately transmit HIV” to the man and “cause really serious harm”.
When asked how he would respond to those allegations, Hall replied: “Absolutely not.”
Hall was asked questions about the fifth man, whom he met on an online dating site and who is he also accused of supplying GHB, a Class B drug, too.
Hall said the purpose of their meeting was to have sex and they took drugs together before engaging in activity, with Hall taking crystal meth and the other man consuming crystal meth and GHB.
He said he believed the other man, who was younger than him, had previously used drugs and had an issue with them before they met.
Hall said he thought he got on “very well” with the man and told him about issues in his life, including a brain injury caused by a car accident in 2021 and his HIV status.
“When did you tell him about the HIV?” Mr Hassall asked.
Hall replied: “Pretty much straightaway, before any sexual contact.”
Hall, who the court has heard was a “top” meaning he gave anal sex rather than receiving it, was then asked what discussions he and the man had about how to have sex, for example if any protection should be used.
“He didn’t seem that bothered,” Hall said, adding the man claimed he was taking preventative medication already.
“I told him I was undetectable [non-infectious] and on meds,” Hall added.
The trial, which began in November, continues.
