Police allege David Minton had unprotected sex with woman but didn’t disclose he was HIV-positive
A man who knew he was HIV positive is accused of having unprotected sex with a woman he met on Facebook, without telling her he was infected.
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A man allegedly had unprotected sex with a woman he met in a Facebook group for single people meet-ups without disclosing to her he was HIV-positive.
David Minton, 37, was refused bail at Sutherland Local Court after he was charged with having a sexually transmissible disease and not preventing its spread following the alleged encounter on October 5.
Minton allegedly acknowledged to police he was aware he was HIV-positive when the pair had allegedly unprotected penetrative sex twice at her home the first time they met in person before they joined friends from their Facebook group for a night out in Wollongong.
The woman allegedly was not aware Minton was HIV-positive until a mutual friend who was aware of his diagnosis informed her upon learning of the alleged encounter.
The Miranda man has pleaded not guilty to the charge and Magistrate Jayeann Carney said he claimed in a police interview he had worn a condom.
“He accepts he knew the victim, they had sex, but did not agree that it was unprotected,” Ms Carney told the court.
“He had been made aware he was HIV-positive on or about September 22, approximately two weeks prior to that encounter - the facts indicate he did not take all reasonable precautions to prevent transmitting it to the victim.”
Police will also allege the woman said she would not have had unprotected sex with the man if she had been made aware of his medical condition.
Ms Carney acknowledged Minton could commit additional offences if he was granted bail after police claimed he was still allegedly seeking sexual partners on dating apps Tinder and Bumble following his alleged encounter.
“I am satisfied, having regard to police stating that he has been active on these social media accounts, that other potential victims are at risk,” Ms Carney told the court.
Minton’s case will return to Wollongong Local Court on December 11.
The maximum penalty for this charge is six months’ imprisonment if proven.