Former Australian Public Figure Imprisoned for More Than Five Years for Sex Crimes
One-time lawmaker sentenced of attacking two victims he met through his position received a sentence to 69 months in detention.
Case Details
The former official, 44, remained in custody since mid-year after the court found him guilty of sexually assaulting a victim and attacking another individual, in multiple events in 2013 and 2015.
Ward served the seaside community of Kiama in the NSW parliament from 2011. He resigned as a government cabinet member when the claims came to light in recent years but resisted resigning from his seat and returned to office in last year.
Court Ruling
Judge Kara Shead evaluated the defendant's condition of legal blindness in the judgment and concluded "no alternative punishment other than detention would be suitable".
The convicted individual, who appeared via digital means at the courthouse, will serve at no less than nearly four years in prison before he can request parole.
The judge said the legal system needs to "deliver a strong warning to potential criminals that sexual offendings of this nature will be faced with serious punishments".
Additional Information
Additionally stated the convicted man had "evaded consequences for a decade and experienced freedom free from a programme or penalty for his crimes during that period".
After his conviction, the politician launched a rejected legal bid to continue in government and left office moments before the legislature could expel him.
His legal team has indicated before he aims to appeal the guilty verdict.
Incident Details
Ward's lengthy proceedings in the state court heard that he brought a intoxicated 18-year-old man to his residence in the first incident and attacked him three times, despite his attempts to resist.
Subsequently, he sexually assaulted a mid-twenties political staffer at his residence after a function at the legislature.
Ward had claimed the second incident didn't happen, and that the other complainant was misremembering their interaction from the earlier year.
But the prosecution contended that significant resemblances in the accounts of the victims, who were unacquainted with the other, demonstrated they were being honest.
Court members debated for 72 hours before delivering the findings of guilt.
Ward's resignation caused a replacement vote in the district in last fall, which was secured by the Labor candidate.
