THE jury in the trial of a refugee who infected his lovers with HIV was told yesterday: "Make sure that emotion doesn't enter into your judgement."

African asylum-seeker Feston Konzani is standing trial accused of inflicting grievous bodily harm on three women while he was studying and living in the North-East.

It is accepted that the 28-year-old musician infected them and was reckless by not taking precautions during sex when he knew he was carrying the virus.

But the jury has been told that the crucial issue is whether the alleged victims consented willingly to risking infection when they slept with him.

Mr Konzani, of Albany Street, Middlesbrough, came to Britain from Malawi in 1998 with the help of a British diplomat with whom he was said to have had a gay relationship in Africa.

During his time on Teesside he had relationships with a number of women, including the three he infected - a 15-year-old girl, from Middlesbrough, an African student, 25, and a 26-year-old woman from Tyneside.

Barristers for the prosecution and the defence made their closing speeches yesterday, before the case was summed up by the judge.

The jury of eight men and four women at Teesside Crown Court will be sent out to consider its verdict this morning.

The Recorder of Middlesbrough, Judge Peter Fox, told them: "Make sure that emotion does not enter into your judgement in this exercise you embark upon.

"You can't help but be deeply sympathetic to Mr Konzani for the disease he suffers irrecoverably and to the young women, all of whom suffer this terrible affliction.

"It is not about his infection, it is not about the morality of the situation, it is not about broken hearts, it is about consenting to run the risk of HIV."

Mr Konzani was found not guilty of a fourth charge of inflicting grievous bodily harm on a 37-year-old Middlesbrough woman on the direction of the judge on Wednesday.

The trial continues.