Ex- Down Under Lawmaker Sentenced for More Than Five Years for Sexual Offenses
An ex- lawmaker found guilty of sexually abusing two individuals encountered via his position received a sentence to five years and nine months in prison.
Trial Information
Gareth Ward, forty-four, was in prison since July after judicial panel determined his guilt of raping a victim and attacking another, in multiple events in 2013 then 2015.
The politician represented the seaside community of the regional area in the New South Wales government from 2011. He left his position as a political party official when allegations surfaced in recent years but refused to quit parliament and was re-elected in 2023.
Judgment Information
Justice the court official took into account Ward's disability of legal blindness in the judgment and determined "no different consequence besides detention is appropriate".
Ward, who was present via digital means at the courthouse, will serve at minimum three years and nine months in prison before he can apply for early release.
Justice Shead said the legal system needs to "deliver a strong warning to potential criminals that illegal behaviors like these will be faced with salutary penalties".
Case Background
Additionally stated the defendant had "avoided punishment for multiple years and experienced freedom without a treatment or punishment for his crimes during that period".
Post-trial, the politician launched a failed appeal attempt to stay in government and resigned shortly before the legislature could oust him.
Defense attorneys has indicated before he aims to challenge the conviction.
Trial Evidence
Ward's lengthy proceedings in the NSW District Court learned that he asked a intoxicated 18-year-old man to his property in 2013 and attacked him three times, despite the victim's efforts to resist.
Two years later, he raped a 24-year-old office worker at his property after a gathering at the legislature.
He had claimed the 2015 rape never occurred, and that the additional accuser was inaccurate regarding their meeting from 2013.
However, prosecutors contended that significant resemblances in the accounts of the victims, who did not know each other, proved they were accurate in their accounts.
A jury considered for 72 hours before returning the convictions.
Ward's resignation prompted a replacement vote in Kiama in September, which was secured by the opposition party.
