Former Australian Politician Sentenced for Over 60 Months for Sexual Offenses
One-time Australian politician convicted of sexually abusing two individuals connected through professional activities has been sentenced to five years and nine months in detention.
Case Details
Gareth Ward, forty-four, remained in custody since July after a jury convicted him of attacking one man and attacking another, in different occasions in 2013 then 2015.
The defendant served the oceanfront municipality of the regional area in the state parliament from the year 2011. He left his position as a political party official when accusations came to light in 2021 but declined to leave his seat and was re-elected in 2023.
Sentencing Details
Judge the court official took into account Ward's disability of sight disability in the judgment and determined "no alternative punishment other than imprisonment is appropriate".
Ward, who was present via digital means at Parramatta District Court, will undergo at no less than 45 months in detention before he can apply for conditional freedom.
Justice Shead declared the court needs to "deliver a strong warning to similar individuals that sexual offendings of this nature will be subject to serious punishments".
Case Background
The judge added the convicted man had "avoided punishment for ten years and lived freely without a programme or consequence for his crimes during that time".
After his conviction, the individual initiated a rejected legal bid to continue in his position and resigned shortly before the legislature could remove him.
Representatives has previously said he plans to contest the guilty verdict.
Trial Evidence
Ward's extended court case in the NSW District Court was told that he asked a intoxicated young adult to his residence in the first incident and attacked him repeatedly, despite his attempts to resist.
Subsequently, he attacked a young political staffer at his residence after a function at government offices.
The defendant had claimed the 2015 rape didn't happen, and that the other complainant was inaccurate regarding their encounter from the first incident.
The state's attorneys argued that notable parallels in the statements of the two men, who did not know one another, proved they were being honest.
The panel deliberated for multiple days before returning the findings of guilt.
His departure prompted a special election in Kiama in autumn, which was secured by the challenger.
