Previous Australian Lawmaker Imprisoned for Above 60 Months for Sexual Offenses
A former lawmaker found guilty of assaulting two individuals connected through professional activities received a sentence to 69 months in prison.
Trial Information
Gareth Ward, mid-forties, was in custody since mid-year after judicial panel determined his guilt of raping a victim and indecently assaulting another individual, in multiple events in 2013 then 2015.
The defendant acted for the oceanfront municipality of the district in the NSW government from the year 2011. He left his position as a political party official when allegations came to light in 2021 but resisted resigning from the legislature and returned to office in 2023.
Judgment Information
The presiding officer the judicial figure took into account Ward's disability of vision impairment in the judgment and concluded "no alternative punishment besides detention could be considered".
Ward, who was present via remote connection at the courthouse, will undergo at no less than 45 months in prison before he can seek parole.
Justice Shead stated the legal system needs to "send a stern message to potential criminals that sexual offendings like these will be met with salutary penalties".
Additional Information
She also said the convicted man had "escaped justice for ten years and experienced freedom absent a treatment or penalty for the offenses during that time".
Following the verdict, Ward initiated a rejected legal bid to stay in his position and resigned shortly before the congress could expel him.
His legal team has indicated before he aims to challenge the guilty verdict.
Incident Details
The defendant's extended court case in the state court heard that he brought a inebriated teenager to his residence in the first incident and sexually abused him repeatedly, despite the victim's efforts to resist.
In 2015, he sexually assaulted a 24-year-old government employee at his residence after an event at parliament.
The defendant had claimed the later assault never occurred, and that the other complainant was confused about their interaction from the earlier year.
The state's attorneys contended that significant resemblances in the accounts of the two men, who were unacquainted with each other, demonstrated they were being honest.
Court members debated for multiple days before delivering the convictions.
His departure caused a special election in his constituency in September, which was won by the opposition party.
