A FORMER drug user has denied stabbing an off duty police officer with a syringe needle and then telling her he had AIDS.

The incident, said to happen after a burglary at Six Hair Studio, Star Street, Ryde, resulted in the police officer having to undergo hospital treatment for fear of contracting the devastating disease, Isle of Wight Crown Court heard.

A trial has been taking place this week at the Island's crown court.

Roger Moore, 48, of no fixed abode, denied a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm against police officer Christi Hill and a further charge of assault by beating.

Prosecutor Adrian Fleming told the court that Moore was in the process of committing a burglary at the hair salon, having smashed his way through a window, when Ms Hill and her partner Tristan Parsons were driving past.

They attempted to restrain him, taking him to the ground, helped by passer-by Joseph Hunt. On the ground, there was a struggle.

Mr Fleming told the court that Ms Hill felt a sharp prick in her finger, pulled away and found a broken off piece of needle in her finger.

Mr Fleming said that at this point, Moore said: "I've got AIDS."

Mr Hunt also received some minor injuries during the struggle, the prosecution said.

Moore told police the day after the incident that he did not have a needle on him and was off drugs.

He told police that he had been struggling on the ground because of the broken glass from the smashed window and he said he was struggling to breathe.

Video captured on a mobile phone during the incident and CCTV were shown to the jury.

The trial continues.