Fri 29 May 2009 In: New Zealand Daily News View at Wayback View at NDHA
NOON: The 40 year old man charged with infecting three young men with HIV, plus attempting to infect one other, and who tried to avoid police yesterday, has been granted interim identity suppression in the Auckland District Court. Judge Josephine Bouchier allowed the suppression for three weeks until his next scheduled court appearance, in order for the man to inform family members scattered throughout New Zealand, including his elderly mother, and for his employer to be informed. The suppression order includes images of the man and disclosure of his occupation. The hearing is continuing, with discussions for and against bail, which the police prosecutor has objected to on grounds that the man, who has been dubbed 'the HIV predator,' is a risk to others and that he yesterday tried to avoid police but was eventually discovered in a car at Mission Bay. Police believe he is a flight risk. Police also say they hope to speak to more witnesses in the coming weeks and are concerned that the man could attempt to contact those witnesses. Reference was also made to circumstances surrounding his behaviour when on bail for a previous, unstated, offense. The man's lawyer, a duty solicitor who was only appointed this morning, is about to put the case for granting of bail. The defendant appeared calm and smartly dressed in court. Media interest is high with television and still cameras and six reporters on the press bench.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Friday, 29th May 2009 - 12:00pm