A HAIRDRESSER embarked on a "cynical and deliberate" campaign to infect other men with HIV after meeting them on gay dating app Grindr, a court heard.

Daryll Rowe insisted on having unprotected sex with a string of male lovers, even though he knew he was HIV positive, prosecutor Caroline Carberry said.

If they said no, he sabotaged condoms, the jury was told.

Lewes Crown Court heard this afternoon that the 26-year-old moved to Brighton after chatting to men living in the city on the mobile dating app.

Rowe appeared in the dock to stand trial wearing a blue suit, blue patterned tie and white shirt.

He faces allegations lodged by ten men that he deliberately tried to infect them.

He pleads not guilty to four charges of grievous bodily harm with intent and six charges of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent.

The victims cannot be named for legal reasons.

The trial, expected to last six weeks, continues.

See more in tomorrow's Argus.