Previous Australian Politician Jailed for Over Half a Decade for Sexual Offenses
An ex- public official found guilty of sexually abusing two victims encountered via his position has been sentenced to nearly six years in prison.
Legal Proceedings
The defendant, 44, remained in jail since mid-year after the court determined his guilt of sexually assaulting one man and indecently assaulting another, in separate incidents in over two years.
Ward represented the coastal town of the regional area in the state legislature from 2011. He resigned as a government cabinet member when allegations surfaced in 2021 but resisted resigning from the legislature and won again in 2023.
Sentencing Details
Justice the court official took into account Ward's disability of legal blindness in the judgment and concluded "no different consequence except for imprisonment is appropriate".
The defendant, who was present via video-link at the judicial venue, will complete at least 45 months in prison before he can request early release.
Justice Shead stated the court needs to "deliver a strong warning to similar individuals that sexual offendings like these will be faced with significant consequences".
Additional Information
Additionally stated Ward had "evaded consequences for a decade and lived freely absent a programme or penalty for the offenses during that period".
Following the verdict, Ward launched a unsuccessful court challenge to continue in government and left office just prior to the legislature could expel him.
Representatives has previously said he aims to appeal the conviction.
Case Facts
Ward's extended court case in the NSW District Court was told that he brought a drunk 18-year-old man to his residence in the first incident and attacked him on multiple occasions, despite the victim's efforts to fight back.
Two years later, he sexually assaulted a 24-year-old political staffer at his residence after a function at parliament.
He had claimed the later assault didn't happen, and that the other complainant was confused about their interaction from the first incident.
The state's attorneys argued that significant resemblances in the accounts of the victims, who did not know each other, demonstrated they were accurate in their accounts.
Court members considered for three days before announcing the guilty verdicts.
His departure caused a replacement vote in Kiama in September, which was claimed by the challenger.
