Prostitute admits spreading HIV

An HIV-positive male prostitute has admitted to potentially spreading the deadly virus in Canberra.

Hector Scott has pleaded guilty in the ACT Magistrates Court to providing a commercial sexual service while knowing he was infected with a sexually-transmitted disease, and failing to register as a sex worker.

Health officials are now sifting through a list of about 250 people Scott has been in contact with in recent weeks, and trying to determine how many people he may have infected.

An alert was issued in New Zealand after Scott flew here at Christmas, but health authorities say no-one has reported any contact with him here.

- Newstalk ZB