Ex- Australian Politician Sentenced for Over Five Years for Sexual Offenses
An ex- Australian politician convicted of assaulting two individuals encountered via work has been sentenced to 69 months in detention.
Case Details
The defendant, 44, remained in jail since last summer after a jury found him guilty of raping one man and attacking another, in separate incidents in 2013 and 2015.
Ward acted for the seaside community of the regional area in the state legislature from over a decade ago. He resigned as a government official when accusations surfaced in 2021 but resisted resigning from the legislature and returned to office in 2023.
Court Ruling
The presiding officer the court official evaluated the defendant's condition of vision impairment in her sentence and concluded "no other penalty except for detention would be suitable".
Ward, who was present via video-link at Parramatta District Court, will complete at no less than 45 months in detention before he can request early release.
The court official stated the legal system needs to "deliver a strong warning to similar individuals that criminal acts of this nature will be met with salutary penalties".
Further Details
The judge added the defendant had "avoided punishment for multiple years and enjoyed a life free from a treatment or penalty for his actions during those years".
Following the verdict, the individual attempted a failed legal bid to stay in parliament and resigned just prior to the legislature could oust him.
Defense attorneys has previously said he plans to challenge the conviction.
Case Facts
The defendant's extended court case in the state court heard that he invited a inebriated young adult to his property in 2013 and sexually abused him repeatedly, despite the victim's efforts to resist.
Subsequently, he attacked a 24-year-old office worker at his property after a function at the legislature.
He had maintained the later assault didn't happen, and that the other complainant was misremembering their interaction from the earlier year.
The state's attorneys contended that notable parallels in the statements of the individuals, who did not know one another, demonstrated they were being honest.
Court members deliberated for 72 hours before delivering the findings of guilt.
His departure led to a special election in Kiama in September, which was won by the opposition party.
