Man with HIV 'deliberately infected 29 women in Rome' after asking not to wear condom during sex

He asked the women during sex if he could not wear a condom knowing he was HIV positive.

A red ribbon is put on the sleeves of a man by his friend to show support for people living with HIV

A man with HIV has infected 29 women after asking not to wear a condom before having sex with them, it has been alleged.

The Italian man, known only as Valentino T, has been accused of not telling the women he was HIV positive.

He was arrested by police in December after six women became infected with the virus between 2006 and 2009.

The number of people rose to 29 as more women came forward to be tested. Ten other of his previous sexual partners who came forward have tested negative for HIV.

It is now thought up to 40 people had sex with him during this period, reports Il Messaggero.

Valentino, 31, from Rome, faces charges of "grievous and incurable bodily harm" against the women, who are aged between 20 and 30.

In early December, he told the newspaper Corriere he "thought" he wouldn't infect them as in his case, the disease was "regressive."

However, he did admit to the newspaper that having unprotected sex with HIV was like playing "Russian roulette."

His defence lawyer said: 'My client is not a monster...he's a guy who had no emotional or sentimental education.'

Valentino T has been held in custody since 24 November while police and prosecutors continue to speak to his alleged victims.