Previous Australian Politician Imprisoned for More Than Half a Decade for Criminal Acts
An ex- public official found guilty of attacking two young men connected through professional activities received a sentence to 69 months in detention.
Case Details
The defendant, 44, has been in prison since mid-year after the court found him guilty of sexually assaulting a victim and indecently assaulting a second person, in separate incidents in 2013 then 2015.
The politician served the coastal town of the regional area in the NSW parliament from the year 2011. He resigned as a government minister when allegations came to light in 2021 but refused to quit the legislature and returned to office in 2023.
Court Ruling
Judge the court official considered Ward's disability of sight disability in the ruling and found "no other penalty other than detention is appropriate".
The convicted individual, who was present via digital means at the courthouse, will undergo at least three years and nine months in custody before he can seek parole.
Justice Shead stated the court needs to "send a stern message to potential criminals that criminal acts like these will be faced with salutary penalties".
Additional Information
Additionally stated the defendant had "evaded consequences for a decade and lived freely free from a programme or consequence for the offenses during that period".
Following the verdict, Ward initiated a failed appeal attempt to remain in government and stepped down moments before the congress could expel him.
Representatives has previously said he aims to contest the ruling.
Incident Details
His lengthy proceedings in the state court heard that he asked a intoxicated young adult to his home in the first incident and indecently assaulted him on multiple occasions, despite the victim's efforts to fight back.
In 2015, he raped a young political staffer at his home after an event at parliament.
He had claimed the 2015 rape was fabricated, and that the additional accuser was confused about their encounter from 2013.
The state's attorneys argued that notable parallels in the statements of the individuals, who had no connection to one another, showed they were telling the truth.
A jury debated for three days before returning the guilty verdicts.
Ward's resignation prompted a special election in his constituency in September, which was claimed by the opposition party.
