Former Down Under Lawmaker Sentenced for Above Five Years for Sex Crimes
A former public official sentenced of sexually abusing two young men encountered via his position has been sentenced to nearly six years in detention.
Trial Information
Gareth Ward, 44, remained in custody since mid-year after a jury found him guilty of sexually assaulting a victim and attacking a second person, in separate incidents in over two years.
The defendant acted for the seaside community of Kiama in the New South Wales government from 2011. He stepped down as a Liberal Party cabinet member when the claims came to light in recent years but declined to leave parliament and returned to office in last year.
Sentencing Details
Justice the court official took into account the defendant's condition of vision impairment in the judgment and found "no alternative punishment except for imprisonment is appropriate".
The convicted individual, who was present via remote connection at the courthouse, will serve at no less than nearly four years in custody before he can seek conditional freedom.
The judge declared the legal system needs to "send a stern message to like-minded offenders that sexual offendings of this nature will be met with salutary penalties".
Additional Information
The judge added Ward had "avoided punishment for ten years and lived freely absent a programme or consequence for his actions during those years".
After his conviction, the politician initiated a failed appeal attempt to continue in his position and stepped down shortly before the members could oust him.
Representatives has indicated before he aims to appeal the conviction.
Trial Evidence
His nine-week trial in the state court learned that he asked a intoxicated 18-year-old man to his property in 2013 and indecently assaulted him on multiple occasions, despite his attempts to fight back.
Two years later, he raped a mid-twenties political staffer at his home after a gathering at parliament.
Ward had argued the 2015 rape didn't happen, and that the other complainant was confused about their interaction from the first incident.
But the prosecution maintained that significant resemblances in the statements of the individuals, who were unacquainted with the other, demonstrated they were being honest.
The panel considered for 72 hours before returning the guilty verdicts.
His departure caused a replacement vote in Kiama in September, which was won by the opposition party.
