Ex- Australian Public Figure Jailed for Above Five Years for Sexual Offenses
An ex- lawmaker convicted of assaulting two individuals he met through professional activities was given to nearly six years in prison.
Legal Proceedings
The former official, mid-forties, remained in jail since July after the court determined his guilt of sexually assaulting one man and attacking a second person, in multiple events in 2013 and 2015.
The politician acted for the oceanfront municipality of Kiama in the NSW parliament from the year 2011. He left his position as a Liberal Party official when allegations emerged in 2021 but resisted resigning from his seat and was re-elected in 2023.
Sentencing Details
Judge the judicial figure considered his visual impairment of vision impairment in her sentence and determined "no other penalty besides detention would be suitable".
Ward, who was present via video-link at Parramatta District Court, will complete at minimum three years and nine months in custody before he can request conditional freedom.
Justice Shead stated the judicial system needs to "issue a clear statement to potential criminals that criminal acts like these will be subject to significant consequences".
Case Background
She also said Ward had "evaded consequences for multiple years and experienced freedom absent a rehabilitation program or punishment for his crimes during that time".
After his conviction, the individual launched a rejected court challenge to stay in government and resigned shortly before the legislature could oust him.
Representatives has previously said he plans to contest the guilty verdict.
Case Facts
The defendant's lengthy proceedings in the state court heard that he invited a inebriated 18-year-old man to his home in the first incident and indecently assaulted him repeatedly, despite his attempts to oppose.
Subsequently, he raped a young government employee at his home after an event at the legislature.
The defendant had argued the later assault was fabricated, and that the first victim was misremembering their meeting from the first incident.
However, prosecutors maintained that significant resemblances in the statements of the victims, who were unacquainted with the other, proved they were accurate in their accounts.
Court members deliberated for three days before announcing the convictions.
The political exit prompted a by-election in the district in autumn, which was won by the opposition party.
