Ex- Australian Politician Jailed for More Than Half a Decade for Sexual Offenses
One-time lawmaker found guilty of attacking two young men encountered via his position received a sentence to five years and nine months in prison.
Trial Information
Gareth Ward, 44, has been in prison since mid-year after the court found him guilty of raping one man and attacking a second person, in separate incidents in 2013 then 2015.
The politician served the seaside community of Kiama in the NSW legislature from over a decade ago. He resigned as a Liberal Party official when allegations came to light in 2021 but refused to quit parliament and was re-elected in 2023.
Court Ruling
The presiding officer Kara Shead took into account Ward's disability of sight disability in her sentence and found "no other penalty besides incarceration would be suitable".
The convicted individual, who was present via remote connection at Parramatta District Court, will complete at no less than three years and nine months in detention before he can apply for early release.
Justice Shead said the judicial system needs to "issue a clear statement to potential criminals that illegal behaviors like these will be met with significant consequences".
Further Details
Additionally stated Ward had "evaded consequences for multiple years and enjoyed a life without a rehabilitation program or punishment for his actions during that period".
After his conviction, the politician initiated a rejected appeal attempt to stay in government and stepped down shortly before the legislature could remove him.
Representatives has indicated before he aims to appeal the guilty verdict.
Trial Evidence
The defendant's nine-week trial in the judicial venue heard that he asked a inebriated young adult to his property in 2013 and attacked him three times, despite the victim's efforts to fight back.
In 2015, he sexually assaulted a mid-twenties office worker at his property after a gathering at parliament.
The defendant had maintained the 2015 rape never occurred, and that the other complainant was misremembering their encounter from the earlier year.
The state's attorneys argued that striking similarities in the testimonies of the victims, who did not know each other, showed they were accurate in their accounts.
The panel debated for three days before delivering the convictions.
His departure prompted a by-election in his constituency in September, which was won by the Labor candidate.
