Sydney - An HIV-positive Australian who hosted parties where he deliberately had unprotected sex to infect his gay partners was Friday given an 18-year jail sentence by a Melbourne court.

Michael Neal, 50, was told of his HIV status when he was diagnosed in 2000 but went on to organize what he called "conversion parties" where some guests were not aware they were being infected.

He bragged about infecting 75 people and told one victim he "got off" on it.

The court was told he had a genital piercing to make it easier to pass on the virus.

"You sought to be your own version of the Grim Reaper," Judge David Parsons said.

Neal, a grandfather, had earlier pleaded guilty to 46 counts relating to drug use and possession, child pornography and committing indecent acts in front of children aged under 16. (dpa)