Toronto Police are between a rock and a hard place with their latest case - they need to warn the public about a man who may have been deliberately spreading HIV to others. But they also need to balance off the privacy concerns of his overall health status and that of a man said to be a victim.

As a result, there's not much more they can do than subtly warn people about 28-year-old Sahand Mahmoodi, who is accused of having sex with another man without informing him of his HIV positive status. He's been charged with attempted murder and aggravated assault.

They refuse to say if the victim in this case actually has the virus or AIDS, citing confidentiality rules. But they say the suspect has been known in certain parts of the downtown core for at least the last five years.

"He did frequent the Church and Wellesley area," points out P.C. Brad Stapleton. "We know he has had sexual activities with other individuals and we have reason to believe he may not have disclosed his HIV status at that time."

Authorities say the pair met through an Internet dating service. Mahmoodi was diagnosed with HIV in December 2000.

Cops won't say how they arrived at the attempted murder charge, which would appear to indicate they believe his acts were deliberate and that he intended to cause harm to others.

They fear there may be other victims and are asking anyone who may have had contact with the suspect - or know others who have - to call them at (416) 808-3200.

The accused made his first court appearance on Thursday morning.