A judge has questioned the remorse of an HIV carrier who exposed his partner to the disease during unprotected sex, labelling his deceit among the worst in current society.
Adam Randall, 37, never told his partner he was HIV positive during their brief relationship in which they had both protected and unprotected sex.
Randall's lawyer Peta Murphy said her client was remorseful and urged Victorian County Court Judge Michael McInerney to consider the "human" side of a sad love story.
She said the couple had shared a "real connection", calling the breakdown of their relationship a mutual tragedy.
"It was a supportive and caring relationship that was destroyed," Ms Murphy said on Wednesday.
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"Mr Randall lost the possibility of a long-term relationship.
"That's a tragic loss for both of them."
But Judge McInerney said their relationship was built on a lie and said remorse was questionable given the blatant nature of the deceit.
"I accept it was a loving relationship and there was mutual attraction between them, but one has to say it was predicated on a fraud," he said.
"One questions remorse.
"There could hardly be a more egregious omission in current society could there?
"We're dealing with a disease that can kill people."
Randall has pleaded guilty to one count of reckless conduct endangering a person.
Randall met his partner, whose identity is protected, on a dating website in early 2012.
Under the HIV status on his website profile, Randall wrote "Negative" and "Ask me".
But he had not revealed his ailment when they slept together.
Randall's partner did not contract the disease.
The Department of Health sent Randall, who had worked as a male escort, a letter after he was diagnosed with HIV in 2004 informing he must always have protected sex and fully inform his partners.
Randall will be sentenced in October after a psychiatric report is completed.
