A MAN has appeared in court charged with deliberately infecting male lovers with HIV.

Daryll Rowe, 26, was arrested in Brighton on February 5 on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm with intent by means of tampering with condoms without the knowledge or consent of his partners.

The case was the subject of a city-wide public health warning.

In Newcastle Crown Court yesterday Rowe, of no fixed address but previously from Edinburgh, entered no plea to magistrates to seven counts of causing grievous bodily harm (GBH) and one count of attempted GBH.

The alleged offences were said to have happened between October 2015 and January 31 this year.

The defendant, whose hair was dyed a shade of pink-grey, wore a blue hoodie and black tracksuit bottoms for the five minute hearing.

Gary Buckley, prosecuting, said the defendant was HIV positive and the offences were said to involve him sleeping with alleged victims.

Angus Westgarth, defending, said there was no application for bail.

He was remanded in custody until January 23 to appear before Newcastle Crown Court, but is likely to appear before a Sussex court before that date.

Northumbria Police said: "Anyone who thinks they may have had a sexual encounter with this man is urged to come forward and anyone with concerns is encouraged to contact their local sexual health services."

At the time of his arrest in February, two potential victims had spoken to officers.

Another man came forward after press coverage of the police appeal and a public health warning issued by both Brighton and Hove City Council's director of public health and Sussex Police on February 23.

Officials urged anyone who may have been sexually involved with the man between October last year and mid February to seek health advice - but neither the council or police provided his name and only identified him as being a Scottish-accented man in his twenties.

The Argus confirmed his identity with officials in his native Scotland and revealed his name after the police force said it was unable legally to do so.

This newspaper has pictures of Rowe but has chosen not to release them in case there is a potential risk to the court case.