Prosecutors allege that 43‑year‑old Adam Hall, diagnosed HIV‑positive in 2010, concealed his status and deliberately infected seven young men, raping some of them, the court was told. He denies five counts of rape and seven counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent. Phylogenetic tests showed strains in complainants were "consistent" with Mr Hall's, but cannot by themselves prove transmission; the prosecution will present additional evidence. The trial is ongoing.
Man accused of deliberately infecting seven men with HIV and committing rapes, court told
Prosecutors allege that 43‑year‑old Adam Hall, diagnosed HIV‑positive in 2010, concealed his status and deliberately infected seven young men, raping some of them, the court was told. He denies five counts of rape and seven counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent. Phylogenetic tests showed strains in complainants were "consistent" with Mr Hall's, but cannot by themselves prove transmission; the prosecution will present additional evidence. The trial is ongoing.
11:35 PM, 11/13/2025Society
Accused allegedly hid HIV status and targeted young men, prosecution says
At Newcastle Crown Court, prosecutors say 43‑year‑old Adam Hall, from Donwell in Washington, knew he was HIV positive after a 2010 diagnosis but did not disclose that status to sexual partners and, in some cases, raped them, the court heard.
Opening the prosecution's case, Crown prosecutor Kama Melly KC told jurors that Mr Hall "knew precisely what he was doing" and derived satisfaction from dominating and infecting "young and vulnerable" men he met in Newcastle bars. Mr Hall denies five counts of rape and seven counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
Allegations and forensic evidence
Prosecutors say Mr Hall had sexual contact with seven men at times when he was aware of his HIV diagnosis and that he intended, through his actions, to transmit the virus. Four of the seven complainants allege rape.
Specialist testing, known as phylogenetic analysis, compared the strains of HIV found in Mr Hall and the complainants. The court heard the testing can exclude someone as the source of a particular strain but cannot definitively prove transmission. The prosecution says the strains in the complainants were "consistent" with Mr Hall's and that additional factual evidence will be relied on to seek to establish responsibility for each infection.
Medical history and treatment
Since his 2010 diagnosis, health professionals repeatedly warned Mr Hall of the risks of transmission, the need to inform sexual partners and the importance of taking antiretroviral medication. Records quoted in court show Mr Hall at times saying he was "well aware" of the issues and that he was being "open with sexual partners," but clinicians also recorded periods when his viral load was suppressed and other times when they were concerned he missed appointments or did not take medication consistently.
The prosecution told the jury that while around 95% of people living with HIV in the UK are on effective treatment that suppresses viral load to an "undetectable" (and therefore non‑infectious) level, they allege Mr Hall was not maintaining the strict treatment regime required to remain undetectable.
Consent, coercion and legal context
On the rape allegations, prosecutors say Mr Hall took advantage of men who had not given or were unable to give consent. The court heard there are "elements of consistency" across the complainants' accounts that the prosecution says support their credibility.
Ms Melly reminded jurors that the law does not permit consent to serious harm, even where parties may have accepted or sought rough or sadomasochistic contact.
The prosecutor also noted that emergency medication (post‑exposure prophylaxis, or PEP) can reduce the risk of HIV infection if taken promptly after a possible exposure — ideally within 24 hours, and no later than a few days — but is most effective the sooner it is taken.
The trial is ongoing.
Follow BBC North East for updates. Reporting reflects statements made by the prosecution in court and does not imply guilt; the accused denies the allegations.