Former Australian Public Figure Jailed for Over 60 Months for Sexual Offenses

One-time Australian politician convicted of attacking two victims he met through work was given to 69 months in jail.

Legal Proceedings

The defendant, mid-forties, remained in custody since last summer after the court determined his guilt of sexually assaulting an individual and attacking a second person, in separate incidents in 2013 and 2015.

Ward represented the coastal town of the regional area in the New South Wales government from the year 2011. He left his position as a political party official when accusations surfaced in 2021 but refused to quit parliament and was re-elected in 2023.

Judgment Information

Justice the judicial figure evaluated the defendant's condition of legal blindness in her sentence and concluded "no different consequence besides detention would be suitable".

Ward, who appeared via remote connection at the judicial venue, will serve at least 45 months in detention before he can apply for conditional freedom.

Justice Shead said the legal system needs to "send a stern message to like-minded offenders that sexual offendings of this nature will be faced with salutary penalties".

Additional Information

She also said Ward had "evaded consequences for a decade and enjoyed a life free from a treatment or punishment for his crimes during that time".

After his conviction, the individual launched a failed court challenge to stay in government and stepped down shortly before the members could remove him.

Representatives has stated earlier he intends to contest the conviction.

Case Facts

Ward's nine-week trial in the judicial venue was told that he invited a inebriated teenager to his home in the first incident and indecently assaulted him repeatedly, despite resistance attempts to fight back.

Subsequently, he raped a young political staffer at his residence after a gathering at the legislature.

He had claimed the 2015 rape never occurred, and that the additional accuser was confused about their encounter from the first incident.

The state's attorneys contended that significant resemblances in the statements of the victims, who were unacquainted with the other, showed they were being honest.

The panel deliberated for multiple days before delivering the convictions.

Ward's resignation prompted a special election in Kiama in autumn, which was claimed by the opposition party.