Man claims fear of A.I.D.S. led to blood-sample refusal

Press, 18 June 1986, Page 9

Man claims fear of A.I.D.S. led to blood-sample refusal

PA Dunedin A man refused to give a blood sample because he was afraid of contracting A.I.D.S. from a dirty needle, the District Court at Dunedin was told yesterday. His claim “raised a spectre of grave concern to the public” in such a way that he abused the seriousness of that matter, Judge Willy said. The Judge said he was “unimpressed” with the defence of Michael George Paterson, aged 40, a fitter and turner, who denied a charge of refusing to give a blood specimen to a doctor.

The reason Paterson gave a police officer for his refusal was that he had recently seen .a television programrrte- on A.I.D.S. and did not want

to get it from a dirty needle. When asked to state his objection on the relevant form, Paterson wrote: “I have watched a recent programme on television. I do not want to.” Dr T. R. Pryde said in evidence that he could not recall Paterson mentioning anything to indicate a fear of contracting A.I.D.S. from the needle. However, he remembered Paterson saying something “incoherent” about a television programme and that he suffered from asthma. Dr Pryde agreed with defence counsel, Mr D. G. P. Russell, that there was a great deal of public concern and ignorance on the subject of A.I.D.S. But there was no possible risk

of contracting A.I.D.S. from a sterile needle. Judge Willy convicted Paterson for refusing the blood specimen and fined him $4OO and disqualified him from driving for six months. The Judge said he had “grave reservations” that Paterson’s excuse for failing to give blood was genuine. "You were in the presence of a registered medical practitioner. You could have discussed with him in a rational way whether you were exposed to any risk. You did not do so,” he said. The charge arose from Paterson’s refusal to give blood at the Dunedin Police Station on March 20 gfter the vehicle he wawdriving was stopped in High Street