Ex- Australian Lawmaker Sentenced for Over Half a Decade for Sexual Offenses
One-time Australian politician sentenced of sexually abusing two young men encountered via work received a sentence to 69 months in jail.
Case Details
The defendant, 44, remained in custody since mid-year after a jury determined his guilt of raping an individual and attacking a second person, in different occasions in 2013 and 2015.
Ward acted for the oceanfront municipality of Kiama in the NSW government from over a decade ago. He stepped down as a political party cabinet member when the claims came to light in 2021 but declined to leave his seat and was re-elected in 2023.
Court Ruling
The presiding officer Kara Shead took into account Ward's disability of vision impairment in the judgment and determined "no other penalty other than detention is appropriate".
The defendant, who was present via digital means at Parramatta District Court, will complete at least nearly four years in prison before he can apply for conditional freedom.
The court official said the judicial system needs to "issue a clear statement to like-minded offenders that sexual offendings such as this will be subject to significant consequences".
Additional Information
She also said Ward had "escaped justice for ten years and enjoyed a life free from a rehabilitation program or punishment for his crimes during that time".
After his conviction, the individual initiated a failed legal bid to continue in his position and stepped down shortly before the congress could expel him.
His legal team has previously said he aims to appeal the conviction.
Case Facts
His nine-week trial in the NSW District Court learned that he asked a drunk young adult to his property in 2013 and sexually abused him repeatedly, despite the victim's efforts to fight back.
Subsequently, he raped a young government employee at his residence after an event at the legislature.
The defendant had maintained the later assault never occurred, and that the additional accuser was confused about their meeting from the earlier year.
The state's attorneys maintained that striking similarities in the testimonies of the individuals, who were unacquainted with one another, proved they were accurate in their accounts.
The panel deliberated for 72 hours before delivering the guilty verdicts.
Ward's resignation caused a special election in the district in autumn, which was won by the Labor candidate.
