Needle man's months of torment

Peter Marshall, 27, finally got the all-clear on Friday when doctors told him a HIV test had proved negative.

The good news ends an agonising series of tests for hepatitis, tetanus and other deadly diseases since the sickening incident last May.

Peter went to sit on a public toilet at Galley Hill and felt a stabbing pain in his back.

A hypodermic needle had been wedged behind the seat pointing upwards. He feared the needle had been left by a drug addict and may have infected him with HIV. Plans to start a family with wife Gemma had to be put on hold while Peter underwent tests.

The reason it took so long is that viruses like HIV often need a period of incubation before they can be detected by medics.

He feared he would be ostracised by colleagues and the anxiety caused rows and stress within his family.

He said on Wednesday: "I felt a huge sense of relief but a huge sense of anger that my life has been affected like this. It nagged away at me and although people were reassuring there was a great deal of stress. My hair has been falling out in lumps. It's been like an eight-month nightmare.

"I'm looking forward to starting again now and trying for a baby."

He is considering claiming compensation from criminal injuries funds or starting legal action against Rother District Council, which runs the toilets.

Peter has been disappointed by the council's reaction to his misfortune, adding: "When I reported the incident I was told they would be in contact to make a report. I've heard absolutely nothing, not even a phone call to find out how I am.

"The council has done nothing to stop an incident like this happening again, like installing ultraviolet lights in toilets.

UV lights in toilets make it impossible for drug users to inject because they mask the colour of veins.