Previous Australian Politician Imprisoned for More Than 60 Months for Criminal Acts
One-time lawmaker found guilty of sexually abusing two young men connected through work has been sentenced to 69 months in jail.
Legal Proceedings
The former official, forty-four, was in custody since last summer after the court convicted him of raping a victim and indecently assaulting another, in multiple events in 2013 then 2015.
The defendant served the oceanfront municipality of Kiama in the NSW legislature from over a decade ago. He stepped down as a political party official when allegations emerged in recent years but declined to leave parliament and won again in 2023.
Judgment Information
Justice the judicial figure evaluated his visual impairment of sight disability in the judgment and found "no other penalty besides incarceration could be considered".
Ward, who appeared via remote connection at the courthouse, will serve at no less than three years and nine months in custody before he can seek early release.
Justice Shead stated the court needs to "issue a clear statement to similar individuals that illegal behaviors of this nature will be faced with serious punishments".
Case Background
Additionally stated the defendant had "evaded consequences for multiple years and experienced freedom free from a treatment or consequence for his crimes during that time".
After his conviction, the politician attempted a unsuccessful legal bid to remain in parliament and stepped down just prior to the congress could expel him.
Defense attorneys has indicated before he aims to contest the ruling.
Trial Evidence
The defendant's lengthy proceedings in the NSW District Court was told that he asked a drunk 18-year-old man to his home in 2013 and indecently assaulted him repeatedly, despite his attempts to resist.
Subsequently, he attacked a 24-year-old political staffer at his home after a function at the legislature.
He had claimed the second incident never occurred, and that the first victim was misremembering their encounter from the first incident.
However, prosecutors argued that striking similarities in the accounts of the individuals, who were unacquainted with one another, proved they were accurate in their accounts.
The panel debated for three days before announcing the guilty verdicts.
Ward's resignation prompted a replacement vote in the district in autumn, which was secured by the opposition party.
