Former Down Under Lawmaker Sentenced for More Than 60 Months for Sexual Offenses
One-time lawmaker found guilty of sexually abusing two individuals connected through professional activities received a sentence to 69 months in detention.
Legal Proceedings
The defendant, 44, was in custody since last summer after judicial panel found him guilty of attacking one man and indecently assaulting another, in multiple events in over two years.
Ward served the coastal town of the district in the NSW government from 2011. He stepped down as a Liberal Party official when the claims came to light in 2021 but resisted resigning from his seat and won again in 2023.
Court Ruling
Judge the court official considered Ward's disability of vision impairment in her sentence and determined "no different consequence besides detention would be suitable".
The convicted individual, who was present via video-link at the courthouse, will undergo at minimum 45 months in custody before he can request early release.
The judge declared the legal system needs to "deliver a strong warning to potential criminals that sexual offendings of this nature will be subject to serious punishments".
Case Background
Additionally stated the defendant had "avoided punishment for ten years and experienced freedom absent a treatment or penalty for the offenses during that period".
Post-trial, the politician launched a rejected legal bid to remain in parliament and left office moments before the legislature could expel him.
His legal team has stated earlier he intends to contest the conviction.
Trial Evidence
His nine-week trial in the state court was told that he asked a inebriated young adult to his residence in 2013 and sexually abused him repeatedly, despite resistance attempts to resist.
Subsequently, he raped a 24-year-old political staffer at his home after an event at parliament.
The defendant had claimed the second incident was fabricated, and that the other complainant was misremembering their interaction from the first incident.
The state's attorneys contended that striking similarities in the testimonies of the victims, who did not know each other, proved they were telling the truth.
Court members debated for 72 hours before announcing the convictions.
The political exit led to a special election in the district in September, which was claimed by the opposition party.
