Ex- Australian Lawmaker Sentenced for Over Five Years for Sex Crimes
A former public official sentenced of sexually abusing two victims he met through work was given to nearly six years in jail.
Case Details
The former official, forty-four, remained in prison since last summer after a jury found him guilty of sexually assaulting a victim and sexually abusing a second person, in multiple events in 2013 then 2015.
The politician served the coastal town of Kiama in the state parliament from 2011. He resigned as a political party official when allegations emerged in 2021 but refused to quit his seat and was re-elected in last year.
Sentencing Details
Judge Kara Shead considered the defendant's condition of vision impairment in the ruling and concluded "no other penalty except for incarceration would be suitable".
The convicted individual, who appeared via digital means at Parramatta District Court, will complete at no less than 45 months in detention before he can apply for conditional freedom.
The court official declared the court needs to "send a stern message to similar individuals that illegal behaviors such as this will be subject to significant consequences".
Additional Information
Additionally stated Ward had "evaded consequences for multiple years and experienced freedom without a programme or penalty for his crimes during those years".
Following the verdict, Ward attempted a unsuccessful legal bid to continue in government and left office just prior to the legislature could oust him.
His legal team has previously said he aims to contest the ruling.
Trial Evidence
Ward's lengthy proceedings in the state court learned that he asked a inebriated young adult to his home in 2013 and sexually abused him repeatedly, despite the victim's efforts to fight back.
In 2015, he raped a young office worker at his property after an event at government offices.
The defendant had claimed the second incident didn't happen, and that the additional accuser was misremembering their interaction from the earlier year.
But the prosecution contended that striking similarities in the accounts of the individuals, who had no connection to one another, proved they were telling the truth.
A jury deliberated for 72 hours before delivering the findings of guilt.
Ward's resignation led to a by-election in the district in September, which was claimed by the Labor candidate.
