Previous Australian Lawmaker Jailed for Over Half a Decade for Sexual Offenses
An ex- Australian politician found guilty of sexually abusing two young men he met through professional activities has been sentenced to nearly six years in prison.
Legal Proceedings
Gareth Ward, forty-four, was in jail since mid-year after judicial panel convicted him of attacking an individual and indecently assaulting a second person, in multiple events in over two years.
The politician served the seaside community of Kiama in the state government from 2011. He resigned as a political party official when the claims surfaced in recent years but refused to quit parliament and was re-elected in 2023.
Court Ruling
The presiding officer the court official took into account Ward's disability of vision impairment in her sentence and found "no different consequence besides incarceration would be suitable".
Ward, who appeared via digital means at the judicial venue, will complete at no less than nearly four years in custody before he can seek conditional freedom.
The judge said the court needs to "deliver a strong warning to potential criminals that sexual offendings of this nature will be met with serious punishments".
Case Background
Additionally stated the defendant had "escaped justice for ten years and enjoyed a life free from a treatment or punishment for his actions during that period".
Post-trial, the individual launched a rejected legal bid to continue in his position and stepped down moments before the members could oust him.
Defense attorneys has previously said he aims to contest the guilty verdict.
Case Facts
Ward's extended court case in the NSW District Court learned that he asked a intoxicated young adult to his home in the first incident and attacked him on multiple occasions, despite the victim's efforts to oppose.
Subsequently, he attacked a young office worker at his home after a gathering at parliament.
Ward had maintained the 2015 rape was fabricated, and that the other complainant was confused about their meeting from 2013.
But the prosecution contended that striking similarities in the testimonies of the individuals, who were unacquainted with the other, showed they were accurate in their accounts.
The panel deliberated for three days before returning the guilty verdicts.
Ward's resignation caused a replacement vote in the district in September, which was won by the challenger.
