An English court has sentenced a 43-year-old man to life imprisonment for assaulting and raping multiple victims with the deliberate intent to transmit HIV to them.
Foreign news agencies report that the offender in England, described as a “dangerous individual,” intentionally transmitted HIV to five young men and two male teenagers aged 15 and 17. The court sentenced him to life imprisonment with a minimum of 23 years before he can apply for parole.
The Crown Court in Newcastle heard testimony that Adam Hall, 43, sought to inflict “pain and harm” on a group of “vulnerable” men whom he targeted via online platforms or bars in Newcastle between 2016 and 2023.
Hall, who lives in Washington near Sunderland, was found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm to seven victims, four of whom he also raped.
The victims stated they felt “violated” and must live with lifelong chronic conditions and psychological scars. Judge Edward Bindloss said Hall’s “selfishness” had robbed these victims of their futures.
Northumbria Police stated that additional suspected victims have come forward since Hall’s conviction, and investigations into another case are ongoing.
Prosecutor Kama Melli said Hall began his “rape campaign” with the intent to “transmit HIV to victims.” The court heard that since his diagnosis in 2010, healthcare professionals were “deeply concerned” about Hall’s behavior and repeatedly warned him about the risks he posed to others.
Hall was “fully aware” of the need to take medication to keep the virus at undetectable levels and the obligation to disclose his HIV status to sexual partners.
Prosecutor Melli said Hall lied about complying with both requirements but in reality “chose” not to take his medication and deliberately targeted “vulnerable” men to engage in high-risk sexual activities.
The prosecutor added that Hall’s “true sexual preference” was to inflict “pain and harm” by exhibiting aggressive behavior and asserting power over others.
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Source:BBC