Previous Australian Public Figure Sentenced for Above Half a Decade for Sexual Offenses
A former public official found guilty of assaulting two young men connected through work was given to nearly six years in jail.
Legal Proceedings
Gareth Ward, 44, has been in jail since July after a jury determined his guilt of attacking an individual and attacking another, in separate incidents in over two years.
The defendant represented the seaside community of Kiama in the NSW government from the year 2011. He resigned as a government cabinet member when allegations surfaced in 2021 but refused to quit his seat and won again in last year.
Judgment Information
The presiding officer the judicial figure considered his visual impairment of vision impairment in her sentence and found "no alternative punishment except for incarceration is appropriate".
The convicted individual, who appeared via remote connection at the judicial venue, will serve at least nearly four years in detention before he can request conditional freedom.
The judge declared the legal system needs to "deliver a strong warning to similar individuals that criminal acts such as this will be met with salutary penalties".
Case Background
The judge added the defendant had "evaded consequences for ten years and experienced freedom absent a treatment or consequence for his actions during that period".
Post-trial, the individual launched a failed legal bid to remain in parliament and resigned moments before the congress could expel him.
His legal team has previously said he aims to appeal the guilty verdict.
Trial Evidence
Ward's extended court case in the judicial venue was told that he brought a inebriated 18-year-old man to his home in 2013 and attacked him three times, despite the victim's efforts to resist.
Subsequently, he sexually assaulted a young political staffer at his property after a function at government offices.
Ward had claimed the later assault didn't happen, and that the first victim was confused about their interaction from 2013.
The state's attorneys contended that striking similarities in the statements of the two men, who did not know each other, demonstrated they were telling the truth.
The panel deliberated for multiple days before delivering the findings of guilt.
His departure led to a replacement vote in Kiama in autumn, which was secured by the Labor candidate.
