Former Australian Politician Imprisoned for Over 60 Months for Sexual Offenses
A former lawmaker sentenced of attacking two victims connected through his position received a sentence to nearly six years in jail.
Case Details
Gareth Ward, 44, has been in jail since last summer after judicial panel found him guilty of raping an individual and sexually abusing a second person, in multiple events in 2013 and 2015.
Ward acted for the seaside community of the regional area in the NSW legislature from the year 2011. He stepped down as a Liberal Party cabinet member when allegations surfaced in 2021 but refused to quit his seat and was re-elected in 2023.
Court Ruling
Justice the court official took into account the defendant's condition of sight disability in her sentence and determined "no other penalty other than detention would be suitable".
The defendant, who was present via video-link at the courthouse, will serve at no less than three years and nine months in custody before he can seek early release.
The judge stated the judicial system needs to "send a stern message to like-minded offenders that criminal acts like these will be faced with serious punishments".
Further Details
She also said the convicted man had "escaped justice for a decade and experienced freedom absent a programme or punishment for his crimes during that period".
After his conviction, Ward launched a failed court challenge to continue in parliament and left office just prior to the congress could expel him.
Representatives has previously said he plans to appeal the guilty verdict.
Case Facts
Ward's nine-week trial in the judicial venue learned that he brought a inebriated 18-year-old man to his property in 2013 and attacked him three times, despite the victim's efforts to fight back.
Subsequently, he attacked a mid-twenties government employee at his property after a function at parliament.
He had claimed the later assault didn't happen, and that the additional accuser was confused about their meeting from the earlier year.
The state's attorneys argued that notable parallels in the testimonies of the victims, who had no connection to each other, proved they were accurate in their accounts.
Court members considered for 72 hours before delivering the findings of guilt.
His departure caused a replacement vote in the district in last fall, which was secured by the opposition party.
