Ex- Down Under Public Figure Sentenced for More Than Half a Decade for Sex Crimes
One-time public official found guilty of sexually abusing two individuals he met through professional activities has been sentenced to five years and nine months in jail.
Case Details
Gareth Ward, forty-four, remained in jail since July after judicial panel found him guilty of attacking a victim and sexually abusing a second person, in separate incidents in over two years.
Ward represented the coastal town of the regional area in the NSW legislature from over a decade ago. He left his position as a government minister when allegations surfaced in 2021 but resisted resigning from parliament and won again in last year.
Sentencing Details
Judge the court official considered his visual impairment of vision impairment in the judgment and found "no other penalty besides imprisonment would be suitable".
Ward, who appeared via video-link at the judicial venue, will serve at no less than nearly four years in detention before he can request parole.
The court official said the judicial system needs to "issue a clear statement to similar individuals that criminal acts like these will be subject to salutary penalties".
Additional Information
The judge added the defendant had "escaped justice for multiple years and experienced freedom free from a treatment or penalty for the offenses during those years".
Post-trial, the politician initiated a unsuccessful appeal attempt to continue in government and left office just prior to the members could remove him.
His legal team has stated earlier he intends to contest the conviction.
Trial Evidence
The defendant's extended court case in the judicial venue learned that he invited a drunk young adult to his property in 2013 and indecently assaulted him three times, despite his attempts to oppose.
In 2015, he raped a mid-twenties government employee at his home after a function at government offices.
Ward had argued the later assault never occurred, and that the first victim was confused about their encounter from the earlier year.
But the prosecution contended that notable parallels in the statements of the individuals, who were unacquainted with one another, proved they were telling the truth.
Court members deliberated for 72 hours before delivering the guilty verdicts.
Ward's resignation prompted a by-election in Kiama in last fall, which was secured by the Labor candidate.
