Gareth Thomas is being sued by former partner Ian Baum for concealing his HIV status and failing to “take reasonable care” before transmitting the virus to him while they were partners.
Gareth Thomas, on the other hand, denies passing HIV to Mr Baum or being controlling and coercive in their relationship. He insists he never ‘lied’ about his HIV positive status because Mr Baum never asked him about it.
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If HIV carriers fail to disclose their condition to potential partners and then pass the infection on, they may be charged with grievous bodily harm.
He also stated that they did not have sex for four months after meeting because he ‘sustained an injury.’
He did, however, admit he was ‘incorrect’ in believing he couldn’t transmit the condition to others, which his lawyers said was a ‘genuinely held belief at the material time.’
Mr Baum accuses Mr Thomas of ‘assault, battery, infliction of intentional harm, and negligence’ in a case that will be heard in the High Court.
Mr Baum is seeking at least £150,000 in damages, though this figure could rise significantly due to ‘serious physical and psychological injury’ and a ‘result loss of life expectancy of approximately six to eight years.’