Martin Jaksic pleads not guilty to HIV infection charge as more men make allegations

A man accused of infecting his then partner with HIV failed to tell other sexual partners about his condition, a court has heard.
Martin Peter Jaksic, 28, was arrested on Sunday at Sydney Airport and charged with recklessly inflicting grievous bodily harm.
Mr Jaksic pleaded not guilty on Thursday when he appeared before Sydney’s Central Local Court via video link from jail.

Police opposed his bail application, arguing that Mr Jaksic was at risk of fleeing the country and posed a threat to community safety.
“The defendant has on more than one occasion engaged in sexual conduct without disclosing what is an extremely serious medical condition,” the police prosecutor said.
“There is evidence, I am told, that he has propositioned other people to participate in sexual intercourse without the use of protection.”

The prosecutor said several men had come forward with allegations since hearing in the media about Mr Jaksic’s arrest. He said the offence suggested a “serious breach of trust”.
In 2012, police began investigating a claim that a 33-year-old man contracted HIV from Mr Jaksic.

The prosecution case alleges the 33-year-old was only sleeping with one other man at the time of his infection and that man was not infected. Police will rely on forensic evidence that Mr Jaksic and his alleged victim shared the same strain of HIV.

HIV positive people have a legal obligation to tell sexual partners about their condition even if they are using a condom, according to a NSW Health Department website.
HIV attacks the immune system and is transmitted by bodily fluids such as blood and semen.
Mr Jaksic’s barrister, Hugo Aston, said his client had been HIV positive since December 2010.
“It was my client’s view that the alleged victim was well aware that he had HIV,” Mr Aston told Central Local Court.

Magistrate Greg Grogin found Mr Jaksic posed an “unacceptable risk” to the community but such a risk could be contained by strict bail conditions.
Mr Jaksic is to live with his mother on the NSW south coast, report daily to the local police station, and abide by a curfew. He is forbidden from applying for a passport or entering an international airport.

Mr Jaksic will next appear before Downing Centre Local Court on February 18.

See original Story on Sydney Morning Herald Website.

Leave a Reply