Ex- Down Under Public Figure Sentenced for Over Half a Decade for Sex Crimes
One-time lawmaker found guilty of sexually abusing two young men he met through professional activities received a sentence to five years and nine months in prison.
Legal Proceedings
The former official, forty-four, remained in prison since July after judicial panel determined his guilt of attacking an individual and sexually abusing a second person, in different occasions in 2013 and 2015.
Ward represented the oceanfront municipality of the regional area in the NSW government from over a decade ago. He stepped down as a Liberal Party minister when accusations came to light in 2021 but resisted resigning from parliament and won again in 2023.
Sentencing Details
The presiding officer Kara Shead evaluated his visual impairment of sight disability in the ruling and found "no different consequence besides incarceration would be suitable".
The convicted individual, who participated via remote connection at Parramatta District Court, will undergo at no less than nearly four years in custody before he can request early release.
The judge said the legal system needs to "issue a clear statement to potential criminals that sexual offendings such as this will be faced with serious punishments".
Further Details
The judge added Ward had "avoided punishment for a decade and experienced freedom absent a rehabilitation program or penalty for his crimes during that time".
Following the verdict, Ward launched a rejected legal bid to continue in his position and left office shortly before the congress could expel him.
His legal team has stated earlier he plans to appeal the ruling.
Trial Evidence
His extended court case in the NSW District Court learned that he brought a drunk 18-year-old man to his home in 2013 and indecently assaulted him on multiple occasions, despite the victim's efforts to resist.
Subsequently, he sexually assaulted a mid-twenties office worker at his residence after a function at parliament.
Ward had argued the later assault didn't happen, and that the other complainant was inaccurate regarding their encounter from the first incident.
However, prosecutors argued that striking similarities in the testimonies of the individuals, who were unacquainted with each other, proved they were accurate in their accounts.
Court members considered for multiple days before delivering the findings of guilt.
His departure prompted a replacement vote in his constituency in last fall, which was claimed by the Labor candidate.