Australia: Stuart McDonald finally 'free' on bail

A brief update in the South Australian case of Stuart McDonald, who has been kept under house arrest as part of his onerous bail conditions.

Adelaide Magistrates Court today ruled he was now 'free' to live elsewhere, according to a report from the AAP on news.com.au.

However, no other conditions appear to have changed, so he must still:

• wear an electronic monitoring device
• not use the internet
  
• be tested regularly for alcohol or drugs
• get authorisation for any visitors.

'HIV offender' freed from dining room

February 05, 2008 11:10am

Article from: AAP

ALLEGED South Australian HIV sex offender Stuart McDonald is free to live on his own, despite fears his new living arrangements put more men at risk of contracting the virus.

Mr McDonald wept as the Adelaide Magistrates Court ruled he could move out of a suburban home he has been sharing with a host family of four - a house in which he has been confined to the dining room.

Mr McDonald sought to have his home detention bail loosened, calling it an "oppressive regime", which was affecting not only his mental health but the social life and wellbeing of his host family.

Mr McDonald has yet to answer allegations he recklessly and deliberately infected eight men with HIV through unprotected sex.

Prosecutors have long opposed the bail variation, saying Mr McDonald could approach, have sex with, and infect more men if not under the strictest form of continuous supervision.