Previous Australian Politician Jailed for More Than 60 Months for Sexual Offenses
An ex- lawmaker found guilty of attacking two individuals connected through his position received a sentence to 69 months in prison.
Legal Proceedings
Gareth Ward, 44, remained in jail since mid-year after a jury determined his guilt of attacking a victim and sexually abusing another, in separate incidents in 2013 then 2015.
The politician acted for the oceanfront municipality of Kiama in the state government from 2011. He resigned as a government minister when the claims came to light in recent years but resisted resigning from the legislature and was re-elected in last year.
Judgment Information
Judge the court official considered the defendant's condition of sight disability in her sentence and concluded "no alternative punishment besides incarceration is appropriate".
The convicted individual, who was present via video-link at the courthouse, will serve at least 45 months in custody before he can seek conditional freedom.
The court official stated the judicial system needs to "send a stern message to similar individuals that illegal behaviors such as this will be faced with significant consequences".
Further Details
The judge added Ward had "avoided punishment for ten years and enjoyed a life free from a rehabilitation program or penalty for the offenses during that time".
Post-trial, the politician attempted a unsuccessful court challenge to remain in government and resigned just prior to the congress could oust him.
Defense attorneys has indicated before he aims to appeal the ruling.
Case Facts
Ward's nine-week trial in the judicial venue learned that he asked a intoxicated 18-year-old man to his home in 2013 and sexually abused him on multiple occasions, despite resistance attempts to resist.
Two years later, he sexually assaulted a 24-year-old political staffer at his home after a gathering at parliament.
He had maintained the later assault didn't happen, and that the additional accuser was misremembering their meeting from the earlier year.
But the prosecution maintained that notable parallels in the accounts of the two men, who were unacquainted with one another, proved they were being honest.
A jury considered for 72 hours before returning the convictions.
His departure caused a special election in Kiama in autumn, which was secured by the challenger.
