Transgender escort pleads not guilty to giving client HIV, will remain in prison for men

A transgender escort charged with giving a client HIV has pleaded not guilty and will remain in a prison for men.

Clayton James Palmer, who identifies as a female, appeared in the Perth Magistrate's Court on a video link from Casuarina Prison for males.

Police allege the accused had advertised as a transgender sex worker under the name Sienna Fox,

Fox's lawyer Simon Freitag told the court his client identified as a woman, and it was unfortunate for his client to be in a male prison.

Fox was initially detained at Hakea remand prison, also for males.

Mr Frietag had previously told the court that Casuarina Prison was a damaging place for his client and she was in a vulnerable position in jail.

Any decision about moving Fox to a female facility can only be made by prison authorities.

Fox entered the not guilty plea after telling the magistrate she understood the charge against her, ABC reported.

Fox, 38, was extradited from New South Wales earlier this year and has been denied bail twice.

Police opposed bail because of concerns she posed a significant flight risk.

Fox has been charged with grievous bodily harm, after it was alleged she had been diagnosed with HIV in August 2014 and transmitted the infection to another man during unprotected sex between January and September last year.

Police claim Fox knew she was infected with HIV but kept having sex with the man for money.

Martin Muk, another lawyer representing Fox, told the court that his client was in a consensual relationship with the victim and "there was no payment or money involved", the Daily Mail reported.

Ms Fox is also accused of repeatedly telling the man she was regularly tested and clean of STDs.

Police claim she continued to advertise sex services on the internet on "at least four occasions" after the man confronted her with the allegation that she had infected him with HIV.

On April 21, the Department of Corrective Services said it was "drafting new procedures for the placement, care and management of transgender prisoners".

Fox is expected to face trial again on October 21, after the matter was sent to the District Court of Western Australia.

News break – July 29