Former Down Under Politician Sentenced for Over Half a Decade for Sexual Offenses
An ex- public official found guilty of assaulting two victims connected through work was given to nearly six years in jail.
Case Details
The defendant, mid-forties, has been in custody since mid-year after the court convicted him of sexually assaulting one man and sexually abusing another, in multiple events in over two years.
The defendant served the coastal town of Kiama in the New South Wales legislature from over a decade ago. He left his position as a Liberal Party official when allegations came to light in 2021 but declined to leave parliament and was re-elected in 2023.
Judgment Information
Justice the court official considered his visual impairment of legal blindness in her sentence and determined "no other penalty other than incarceration could be considered".
The convicted individual, who was present via video-link at Parramatta District Court, will complete at no less than 45 months in detention before he can seek early release.
The judge declared the legal system needs to "deliver a strong warning to potential criminals that illegal behaviors such as this will be faced with significant consequences".
Additional Information
The judge added Ward had "avoided punishment for a decade and enjoyed a life absent a programme or penalty for his crimes during that time".
After his conviction, the politician attempted a rejected appeal attempt to remain in government and resigned just prior to the members could oust him.
His legal team has stated earlier he aims to contest the guilty verdict.
Trial Evidence
The defendant's lengthy proceedings in the NSW District Court learned that he invited a intoxicated 18-year-old man to his residence in 2013 and sexually abused him on multiple occasions, despite resistance attempts to fight back.
Subsequently, he attacked a mid-twenties political staffer at his residence after a gathering at the legislature.
The defendant had maintained the 2015 rape didn't happen, and that the other complainant was inaccurate regarding their encounter from the first incident.
However, prosecutors contended that notable parallels in the accounts of the two men, who were unacquainted with each other, proved they were accurate in their accounts.
A jury debated for three days before announcing the findings of guilt.
The political exit led to a replacement vote in Kiama in September, which was secured by the Labor candidate.
