Previous Down Under Public Figure Sentenced for Above Half a Decade for Sex Crimes
One-time lawmaker sentenced of attacking two individuals encountered via professional activities received a sentence to 69 months in prison.
Case Details
The defendant, mid-forties, was in jail since last summer after the court convicted him of sexually assaulting an individual and sexually abusing another, in separate incidents in 2013 and 2015.
The politician acted for the oceanfront municipality of the regional area in the NSW government from 2011. He stepped down as a Liberal Party minister when allegations emerged in 2021 but refused to quit the legislature and returned to office in 2023.
Judgment Information
Judge the court official took into account the defendant's condition of legal blindness in the ruling and concluded "no other penalty besides imprisonment could be considered".
Ward, who appeared via digital means at Parramatta District Court, will complete at minimum nearly four years in custody before he can apply for parole.
The judge stated the legal system needs to "deliver a strong warning to similar individuals that criminal acts like these will be subject to serious punishments".
Further Details
The judge added the convicted man had "avoided punishment for ten years and experienced freedom absent a rehabilitation program or consequence for his actions during that period".
Post-trial, the politician initiated a rejected appeal attempt to continue in his position and stepped down just prior to the congress could expel him.
His legal team has previously said he plans to contest the ruling.
Trial Evidence
Ward's lengthy proceedings in the NSW District Court learned that he asked a intoxicated young adult to his home in the first incident and indecently assaulted him repeatedly, despite his attempts to resist.
Subsequently, he attacked a young office worker at his home after a gathering at parliament.
The defendant had maintained the 2015 rape never occurred, and that the additional accuser was confused about their interaction from the first incident.
However, prosecutors maintained that significant resemblances in the testimonies of the individuals, who did not know each other, proved they were being honest.
Court members deliberated for multiple days before announcing the findings of guilt.
His departure prompted a by-election in Kiama in last fall, which was claimed by the challenger.
