Ex- Down Under Public Figure Imprisoned for More Than Five Years for Sex Crimes
An ex- lawmaker convicted of sexually abusing two victims connected through his position received a sentence to five years and nine months in jail.
Case Details
The former official, forty-four, remained in custody since mid-year after a jury determined his guilt of sexually assaulting a victim and indecently assaulting another, in different occasions in 2013 and 2015.
The politician served the coastal town of Kiama in the NSW government from 2011. He left his position as a Liberal Party minister when allegations came to light in 2021 but refused to quit his seat and was re-elected in last year.
Sentencing Details
Judge the judicial figure took into account the defendant's condition of legal blindness in the ruling and concluded "no other penalty besides detention could be considered".
The defendant, who appeared via video-link at the judicial venue, will undergo at no less than nearly four years in prison before he can apply for parole.
The judge declared the court needs to "send a stern message to similar individuals that criminal acts of this nature will be faced with serious punishments".
Further Details
Additionally stated the convicted man had "evaded consequences for a decade and experienced freedom absent a programme or consequence for his actions during that time".
Following the verdict, Ward launched a rejected legal bid to remain in parliament and left office moments before the congress could expel him.
His legal team has previously said he plans to contest the guilty verdict.
Trial Evidence
The defendant's lengthy proceedings in the state court learned that he asked a intoxicated young adult to his property in 2013 and attacked him repeatedly, despite the victim's efforts to fight back.
In 2015, he sexually assaulted a mid-twenties government employee at his home after a gathering at the legislature.
The defendant had maintained the 2015 rape was fabricated, and that the first victim was inaccurate regarding their meeting from 2013.
However, prosecutors maintained that striking similarities in the testimonies of the individuals, who had no connection to the other, demonstrated they were telling the truth.
The panel considered for three days before announcing the findings of guilt.
The political exit led to a by-election in the district in last fall, which was secured by the challenger.
