Posted: 22:31, September 3, 2022 |  Updated: 01:45, September 4, 2022
Rugby star Gareth Thomas admitted he did not tell a former partner he was HIV positive when he started a relationship, High Court documents show.
His ex, Ian Baum, accuses Thomas, 48, of “concealing” the fact that he was HIV positive and failing to “take reasonable care” before passing on the virus to him while they were a couple.
Former Wales captain Mr Thomas has now admitted he did not tell Baum he was HIV positive when the pair began a relationship in October 2013.
She denies passing on HIV to Mr Baum or being controlling and coercive in their relationship.
Ian Baum (pictured) accused Thomas, 48, of ‘concealing’ that he was HIV positive and failing to ‘take reasonable steps’ before passing on the virus to him while they were a couple.
Former Wales rugby international Gareth Thomas admitted he did not tell Baum he was HIV positive when the pair began dating in October 2013.
HIV carriers can be charged with grievous bodily harm if they fail to disclose their health status to potential partners and then transmit the infection.
Mr Thomas denies he “lied” about his HIV status because he was never asked by Mr Baum, 59, about it.
He also said they didn’t have sex for four months after they met because he “suffered an injury”.
However, he admitted it was “wrong” to believe then he could not pass the condition on to others, which his lawyers said was “a genuine belief at the time”.
In a case due to be heard in the High Court, Mr Thomas is accused by Mr Baum of “assault, assault, causing harm with intent and negligence”.
Mr Baum is seeking compensation of at least £150,000, although it could be significantly higher for “serious physical and psychological injury” and “consequential loss of life expectancy of around six to eight years”.
Gareth Thomas of Wales in action during the RBS Six Nations Championship match between England and Wales at Twickenham on February 4, 2006 in London, England. The retired rugby star claims he and Mr Baum only had sex after Baum revealed he was HIV positive in 2014 and Thomas did the same. In Supreme Court documents filed last week, Mr. Thomas’ lawyers claim that Mr. Baum “was somewhat innocent” of his HIV infection, “with his attitude that he was forced to contract HIV sooner or later”. But they add: “It is admissible to the plaintiff [Mr Baum] did not expressly consent to the defendant’s risk of HIV transmission.” Mr Thomas said Baum was “messy” during their relationship, although evidence of this is still “subject to determination”. Mr. Baum claims he was monogamous while they were together. The charges against Mr Thomas, which relate to the period between 2013 and 2018, came before he revealed in an interview and BBC documentary in 2019 that he had HIV. He came out as gay in 2009 near the end of a distinguished career, including 100 caps for Wales, and was hailed as an LGBTQ trailblazer in sport.

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