A woman is to stand trial accused of sticking a 12-year-old boy with a hypodermic needle filled with her “body fluids” — while knowing she has HIV.
Jacqueline O’Neil denies assaulting the boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, to the danger of his life on July 27 last year at an address in Dundee.
It is alleged she engaged in a struggle with him, pushed him, pulled him then struck him on the hand with a syringe and hypodermic needle.
Prosecutors say it contained her bodily fluids and caused the needle to penetrate the boy’s skin to his injury and the danger of his life.
An alternative charge alleges she culpably and recklessly exposed the boy to the risk of contracting HIV.
O’Neil is further accused of assaulting the boy by striking him on the body and threatening to throw a chair at him.
O’Neil, 32, of Byron Crescent, Dundee, pleaded not guilty on indictment to charges of assault to injury and the danger of life and to a further charge of assault.
Defence solicitor George Donnelly said: “A joint minute has been agreed that will deal with the medical evidence.
“It is simply a matter of the mechanics of how this young lad was stuck with the needle.”
Sheriff Alastair Carmichael continued the case to a trial date later this month.
