Alleged rape victim is HIV positive
A court at the Old Bailey has been told that a 26-year-old man who accused a BBC Radio 4 reporter of raping him is HIV positive.
Nigel Wrench, 47, was open about his status and had made a documentary, Aids and Me about his experiences living with HIV and a later diagnosis of AIDS.
He is accused of drugging and sexually assaulting the 26-year-old after inviting him back to his flat in north London after meeting him at a New Years party.
Mr Wrench’s defence barrister, Sarah Forshaw QC, told the court that the alleged victim did not mention his HIV status.
Constance Briscoe for the Crown Prosecution Service had earlier told the court:
“In order to get his way with the victim, he drugged him and he raped him and he sexually assaulted him.
The jury were told that he suffered from “flashes of darkness” and “periods of blackness,” before finding himself naked on the Mr Wrench’s bed as the radio reporter put a pill into his mouth.
Mr Wrench faces accusations of rape, sexual assault, together with administering the sleeping tablet, Temazepam, with the intention of overpowering his victim in order to have sexual intercourse on the 1st January 2007.
He denies all charges. The trial continues.
