Overview

• Adam Hall, 42, of Donvale Road, Washington, appeared by video link from HMP Durham for his plea hearing at Newcastle Crown Court on July 2.
• He pleaded not guilty to five counts of raping men between 2015 and 2022 and seven counts of causing grievous bodily harm by intentionally transmitting HIV.
• Hall also denied two counts of controlling or coercive behaviour in an intimate relationship, one count of supplying the class B drug GHB and one count of failing to disclose information.
• He remains remanded in custody at HMP Durham with a case management hearing on October 2 and a trial scheduled to start on November 3, expected to last up to six weeks.
• Northumbria Police, led by DCI Emma Smith, has launched a public appeal for witnesses through an online portal to support its ongoing investigation.