Former Down Under Public Figure Sentenced for More Than Half a Decade for Criminal Acts
One-time Australian politician convicted of sexually abusing two victims connected through work was given to 69 months in prison.
Case Details
Gareth Ward, mid-forties, remained in prison since July after judicial panel convicted him of sexually assaulting one man and sexually abusing a second person, in separate incidents in 2013 then 2015.
The defendant acted for the seaside community of the district in the state legislature from over a decade ago. He left his position as a political party minister when accusations came to light in 2021 but refused to quit the legislature and returned to office in 2023.
Court Ruling
Justice the court official evaluated the defendant's condition of vision impairment in her sentence and determined "no other penalty other than incarceration would be suitable".
The convicted individual, who appeared via remote connection at Parramatta District Court, will complete at least three years and nine months in custody before he can apply for conditional freedom.
The judge stated the judicial system needs to "deliver a strong warning to like-minded offenders that sexual offendings like these will be subject to significant consequences".
Additional Information
She also said the defendant had "evaded consequences for a decade and lived freely free from a treatment or consequence for his crimes during that period".
Following the verdict, the politician initiated a unsuccessful legal bid to continue in his position and left office moments before the members could oust him.
Representatives has indicated before he intends to appeal the guilty verdict.
Trial Evidence
The defendant's nine-week trial in the judicial venue learned that he invited a inebriated young adult to his property in the first incident and sexually abused him three times, despite resistance attempts to fight back.
Subsequently, he sexually assaulted a young political staffer at his home after a gathering at the legislature.
Ward had argued the later assault never occurred, and that the additional accuser was inaccurate regarding their encounter from the earlier year.
The state's attorneys contended that striking similarities in the statements of the two men, who were unacquainted with one another, demonstrated they were telling the truth.
Court members deliberated for three days before announcing the convictions.
His departure prompted a replacement vote in Kiama in September, which was secured by the challenger.
