A man who deliberately set out to infect vulnerable young men and teenage boys with HIV through a sustained campaign of rape and sexual violence has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 23 years.
Adam Hall, 43, of Washington near Sunderland, was described by the court as “dangerous” and “selfish” after being found guilty of inflicting grievous bodily harm on seven victims — five young men and two boys aged 15 and 17 — four of whom he also raped. The offending took place in Newcastle between 2016 and 2023, with Hall targeting vulnerable individuals he met either online or in bars.
Prosecutor Kama Melly KC told Newcastle Crown Court that Hall had carried out a “campaign of rape” with the deliberate intention of infecting his victims with HIV, motivated by a desire to inflict “pain and harm” on those he preyed upon. Judge Edward Bindloss, sentencing Hall, said he had acted with profound selfishness and had stolen the futures of the people he targeted. The victims described being “violated” and spoke of the lifelong physical conditions and psychological trauma they now carry as a result of Hall’s actions.
Hall refused to leave his prison cell to attend the sentencing hearing.
Northumbria Police confirmed that further suspected victims had come forward since Hall’s conviction and that a separate investigation was ongoing.
