Australia: SA goverment sued for 'allowing' Stuart McDonald to infect him with HIV

Man sues in HIV case
ABC News

The South Australian Government is being sued for allegedly failing to prevent a man from being infected with HIV.

The young man alleges he was deliberately infected by Stuart McDonald, 39, who has been charged with endangering the life of several men he had sex with.

McDonald's movements are restricted by home detention conditions.

The alleged victim's lawyer, Peter Humphries, argues the SA Health Department should have better managed McDonald.

Mr Humphries says his client had unprotected sex with McDonald in October 2005.

"That was at a time, as far as we understand it, at least two reports had been made to the Health Department of McDonald's practice of engaging in sexual activity without protection, knowingly full well he was carrying the HIV virus," he said.

Mr Humphries says his client, aged in his 20s, is angry that his life has potentially been cut short.

"I think it's probably fair to say the main one's anger, that he's been put in this position needlessly," he said.

"Had McDonald been put under some sort of control orders, given his complete lack of interest in exercising self control, then this whole thing would have been avoided."