A sexual predator who deliberately infected vulnerable men with HIV is due to be sentenced.
Adam Hall, 43, from Donvale Road, Washington, Tyne and Wear, was convicted of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and rape following a three-and-a-half month trial at Newcastle Crown Court.
He became just the second person in the UK to be convicted of intentional transmission of HIV.
Jurors deliberated for almost 43 hours before convicting him of five counts of rape and seven counts of causing grievous bodily harm last month.
He was diagnosed with HIV in 2010 and took medication to keep his viral load down.
Adam Hall (Image: Northumbria Police)
But in 2016, medical professionals became concerned that was not adhering to his treatment, making him infectious to others he slept with.
Despite being warned, Hall had unprotected sex with men between 2016 and 2023, in some cases raping them.
The Crown Prosecution Service said that Hall failed to disclose his HIV status to those men and his victims only found out after being tested themselves.
He was convicted of raping four men and deliberately infecting three more.
In her prosecution opening speech in November, Kama Melly KC said: “The defendant knew from being repeatedly told about the risks of what he was doing, if he did not keep to the medication, if he did not stick to his treatment regime, and continued finding, repeatedly, young and often vulnerable males for sexual activity.”
After Hall was convicted, Amy Dixon, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “From the point of his initial HIV diagnosis, Adam Hall was wholly aware of the risks to himself and others if he failed to adhere to his medical treatment.
“Despite this, he repeatedly pursued sexual activity with his victims without disclosing his HIV status.
“In some cases, Hall performed these sexual acts without the consent of the victims, applying verbal or physical force to get what he wanted.
“It is clear from his actions that Hall knew what he was doing and fully intended to cause the harmful lifelong consequences that his victims now face.
“We would like to praise the bravery of these men in coming forward to provide evidence and we hope that the conviction of Hall today provides some measure of justice for each of them.”
Hall was also convicted of a drugs offence and failing to unlock his phone for police.
Detectives are keen to trace other people who may have had sex with Hall, as he travelled to different parts of the country, including County Durham, Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, Manchester, and London, to meet men.
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Detective Chief Inspector Emma Smith said: “We would encourage anyone who may have health concerns to seek advice and support from your local sexual health services.”
Alice Wiseman, director of public health for Newcastle and Gateshead, said health services were ready to offer support to people concerned about prior contact with Hall.
She said: “There is no judgment and your health and safety is our priority.”
