Former Australian Lawmaker Sentenced for Over Five Years for Criminal Acts
One-time Australian politician found guilty of assaulting two individuals connected through professional activities received a sentence to five years and nine months in prison.
Trial Information
The former official, mid-forties, has been in custody since mid-year after the court found him guilty of sexually assaulting a victim and sexually abusing another individual, in different occasions in 2013 then 2015.
Ward acted for the coastal town of the regional area in the state government from 2011. He stepped down as a government cabinet member when allegations came to light in recent years but refused to quit parliament and was re-elected in 2023.
Court Ruling
The presiding officer the judicial figure evaluated Ward's disability of legal blindness in her sentence and found "no alternative punishment other than imprisonment would be suitable".
The defendant, who was present via digital means at Parramatta District Court, will serve at least three years and nine months in detention before he can apply for parole.
Justice Shead declared the court needs to "issue a clear statement to similar individuals that sexual offendings like these will be subject to significant consequences".
Additional Information
She also said the convicted man had "avoided punishment for ten years and experienced freedom absent a programme or consequence for his actions during that period".
Following the verdict, the individual launched a failed court challenge to remain in government and left office moments before the legislature could remove him.
His legal team has indicated before he intends to challenge the ruling.
Case Facts
The defendant's nine-week trial in the state court was told that he brought a intoxicated young adult to his home in 2013 and sexually abused him three times, despite the victim's efforts to fight back.
Subsequently, he sexually assaulted a mid-twenties political staffer at his residence after an event at government offices.
He had claimed the later assault never occurred, and that the first victim was misremembering their meeting from the earlier year.
However, prosecutors argued that significant resemblances in the statements of the victims, who had no connection to the other, showed they were being honest.
Court members considered for multiple days before delivering the findings of guilt.
The political exit caused a by-election in Kiama in autumn, which was claimed by the Labor candidate.
