Previous Australian Politician Jailed for Above Half a Decade for Criminal Acts
One-time Australian politician convicted of attacking two victims connected through professional activities received a sentence to 69 months in detention.
Trial Information
Gareth Ward, mid-forties, remained in jail since last summer after judicial panel convicted him of sexually assaulting a victim and indecently assaulting another, in different occasions in 2013 and 2015.
The defendant represented the oceanfront municipality of the district in the NSW parliament from over a decade ago. He left his position as a Liberal Party official when allegations emerged in 2021 but refused to quit the legislature and won again in last year.
Judgment Information
Judge Kara Shead evaluated his visual impairment of sight disability in the judgment and concluded "no alternative punishment besides imprisonment would be suitable".
Ward, who was present via video-link at the courthouse, will serve at no less than nearly four years in prison before he can seek early release.
The court official stated the judicial system needs to "issue a clear statement to similar individuals that illegal behaviors such as this will be subject to significant consequences".
Further Details
She also said Ward had "avoided punishment for multiple years and experienced freedom free from a programme or punishment for the offenses during that period".
Following the verdict, the politician initiated a rejected appeal attempt to stay in government and stepped down moments before the legislature could expel him.
Representatives has previously said he plans to contest the conviction.
Case Facts
His extended court case in the NSW District Court was told that he invited a drunk 18-year-old man to his property in the first incident and indecently assaulted him on multiple occasions, despite resistance attempts to fight back.
Two years later, he sexually assaulted a 24-year-old office worker at his home after an event at government offices.
The defendant had argued the second incident never occurred, and that the other complainant was inaccurate regarding their meeting from the first incident.
However, prosecutors maintained that significant resemblances in the accounts of the two men, who were unacquainted with one another, showed they were telling the truth.
The panel debated for 72 hours before returning the findings of guilt.
His departure led to a replacement vote in his constituency in autumn, which was claimed by the opposition party.
