Ex-Welsh Rugby Captain Gareth Thomas Settles HIV Case with Ex-Partner

The former British and Irish Lion settled the case for £75,000 but said that it was not an admission of guilt.

Gareth Thomas announced he had HIV in 2019, saying he wanted to end the stigma around the disease.
Author: Claire BoadPublished 30th Jan 2023
Last updated 30th Jan 2023

Former Wales rugby captain Gareth Thomas has settled a legal dispute with his ex-partner Ian Baum, who accused him of ''deceptively'' transmitting HIV to him.

Mr Baum alleged that Mr Thomas kept his HIV status hidden and ''Failed to take reasonable care'' to ensure he did not pass it on.

Mr Thomas, a former British and Irish Lion, settled the case for £75,000 plus costs, but also added that settling did not equal an admission of guilt.

Mr Baum claimed he was in a relationship with Mr Thomas between 2013 and 2016 and that he was HIV-negative when the relationship began.

He allegedly found out that Mr Thomas had HIV after finding some anti-viral HIV medication that belonged to Mr Thomas.

Mr Baum says he then ''immediately'' booked a HIV test and was ''devastated'' when it came back positive.

Mr Baum's lawyers said the settlement was reached based n a non-admission of liability by Mr Thomas.

Mr Thomas won 100 caps for Wales and became the first openly gay professional rugby union player when he came out in 2009.

In 2019, he revealed on Twitter that he had HIV, saying that he wanted to end any stigma around HIV.

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