HIV acrobat Godfrey Zaburoni may have infected 37 women

A Circus acrobat may have infected 37 women with HIV, a court has been told. Godfrey Zaburoni, 32, was today granted bail by the Supreme Court on condition that he not have unprotected sex or go out to nightclubs between the hours of midnight and 6am.

The Brisbane Supreme Court was told police investigating Zimbabwe-born Zaburoni have so far been contacted by 37 women since the identity of the performer, who appeared on Channel 7's Australia's Got Talent program -- and the nature of his sexually-transmittable disease was broadcast nationally.

It was revealed as Justice Roslyn Atkinson today granted Zaburoni bail on numerous conditions -- including he not engage in sex without wearing a condom, informing his potential partner of his HIV status and without securing their expressed consent.

Zaburoni, who has been in custody since his arrest in NSW on May 24, is currently facing four charges over alleged offences committed against two women between February 1, 2007 and September 30, 2008.

The alleged offences against each woman include acts intended to cause grievous bodily harm by transmission of a dangerous disease and, in the alternate, grievous bodily harm.

In essence, police allege Zaburoni, who was aware of his HIV status, intentionally tried to harm the women by having unprotected sex with them and not informing either he was carrying a serious sexually communicable disease.

Prosecutor Kathryn Dent opposed Zaburoni's bail on the grounds there was an unacceptable risk he would re-offend or flee.

``There is a risk (Zaburoni) will continue to have (unprotected sexual) encounters with women ... and not reveal his status (if released),'' Ms Dent said.

``He has had a number of (sexual) relationships with different women at the same time.''

The court was told there was also serious risk Zaburoni could be harmed -- by way of a vigilante-style attack -- in the wake of the significant media coverage his case had attracted.

Ms Dent said investigators had been contacted, as at the time of today's bail hearing, by 37 women claiming to have had a sexual encounter with Zaburoni.

Barrister John McInnes, for Zaburoni, said his client’s notoriety, including his appearance on a high-rating national television program, would severely reduce the risk of his re-offending while on bail.

``The risk of offending is reduced by his notoriety ... (and the fact) his HIV status is no part of his identity now,'' he said.

Justice Atkinson consented to Zaburoni being bailed, saying: ``I am prepared to grant bail.''

She listed a number of conditions usually imposed on people in serious criminal cases, including he reside at an approved address, he surrender his passport and regularly report to police

But, Justice Atkinson imposed added further conditions preventing Zaburoni from attending licensed pubs and clubs, where he is alleged to have met his so-called victims, between midnight and dawn and abstaining from having unprotected sex.

A suppression order was also issued preventing the naming of any alleged victim, the location of Zaburoni's bail address and the police station at which he is to report.

Zaburoni is due back in Southport Magistrates Court tomorrow.