Odd HIV assault trial ends abruptly

BARRIE, Ontario, Feb. 29 (UPI) -- An odd second trial for an Ontario, Canada, man accused of sexually assaulting a fellow inmate who is HIV positive came to an abrupt end, the Toronto Sun said.

In his trial before a new judge in Barrie, 55 miles north of Toronto, Lee Wilde, 25, abruptly changed his plea to guilty Thursday, just as his alleged victim was about to testify, the Sun said.

Wilde was charged with beating and sexually assaulting the unidentified man who was incarcerated with him last March.

His first trial was canceled after the alleged victim said on the stand he was HIV positive and had hepatitis C, and the judge recessed the court and demanded the man either wear a mask or testify from elsewhere, the report said.

Based on complaints by both prosecution and defense lawyers, that judge, Jon-Jo Douglas is facing an investigation and possible discipline by the Ontario Judicial Council, the Sun said.

Wilde was sentenced to 20 months in jail and his name will be placed on the provincial sex offender registry for 20 years, the report said.