A COURT has used new powers to stop a HIV-positive man carrying out a threat to infect sex workers.

Northallerton Magistrates' Court heard how the North Yorkshire man told health workers he liked to have aggressive sex with men in gay saunas in Leeds.

The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has mental health problems and is currently in hospital.

However, the court heard he was due to be released imminently and had threatened to return to Leeds to visit saunas and have unprotected sex again - despite having HIV and Hepatitis C.

Emma Richards, North Yorkshire Police force solicitor, said the man had even searched the internet for information on the likelihood of being prosecuted if he infected a sex worker.

"He said he felt that he was past caring and felt no guilt about his actions," she added.

The court heard he had stopped taking his HIV medication, which meant he was more likely to infect a sexual partner.

The force applied for an interim sexual risk order to reduce the chances of him infecting other people with the disease over the weekend until a permanent order could be sought next week.

The order was granted, although not all the measures requested by police were granted.

Anna Ramsden, chair of the bench, told the court they would allow police to fit a GPS tag to the man allowing officers to monitor his location.

However, they refused to prevent the man using a vehicle or restrict his access to the internet.

The magistrates also refused to grant a stipulation that the man must tell anyone he was about to have sex with that he was HIV positive.

All parties, including the subject of the order, are due to return to court on Monday when police will seek to obtain a permanent order.

North Yorkshire Police is understood to be one of the first forces in the country to use the new powers which were introduced in March this year.

The orders are brought under civil rather than criminal law against people who have not been convicted of a crime, but who police believe pose a risk of sexual harm.