Former Australian Lawmaker Jailed for More Than Five Years for Sexual Offenses
One-time public official found guilty of attacking two victims he met through his position was given to five years and nine months in detention.
Trial Information
The defendant, forty-four, has been in custody since mid-year after the court determined his guilt of sexually assaulting a victim and indecently assaulting another, in separate incidents in over two years.
The politician served the oceanfront municipality of the regional area in the New South Wales parliament from 2011. He resigned as a political party minister when accusations surfaced in 2021 but declined to leave his seat and won again in last year.
Court Ruling
Justice the judicial figure considered the defendant's condition of sight disability in her sentence and found "no different consequence besides incarceration is appropriate".
The convicted individual, who was present via digital means at Parramatta District Court, will complete at least three years and nine months in detention before he can apply for parole.
Justice Shead declared the court needs to "issue a clear statement to potential criminals that criminal acts of this nature will be faced with salutary penalties".
Additional Information
The judge added the defendant had "evaded consequences for multiple years and lived freely without a rehabilitation program or penalty for his crimes during that time".
After his conviction, Ward attempted a failed court challenge to stay in government and stepped down shortly before the members could expel him.
Representatives has indicated before he aims to contest the ruling.
Trial Evidence
His nine-week trial in the state court was told that he invited a drunk young adult to his home in 2013 and sexually abused him three times, despite the victim's efforts to fight back.
In 2015, he raped a 24-year-old government employee at his home after a gathering at the legislature.
Ward had argued the second incident was fabricated, and that the other complainant was inaccurate regarding their interaction from the first incident.
However, prosecutors argued that significant resemblances in the testimonies of the two men, who did not know the other, proved they were telling the truth.
The panel considered for three days before returning the findings of guilt.
Ward's resignation caused a replacement vote in Kiama in last fall, which was claimed by the opposition party.
