Ex- Down Under Public Figure Imprisoned for Over 60 Months for Sexual Offenses
One-time public official found guilty of sexually abusing two individuals encountered via work has been sentenced to five years and nine months in prison.
Trial Information
Gareth Ward, 44, remained in custody since last summer after a jury determined his guilt of sexually assaulting one man and indecently assaulting another individual, in multiple events in 2013 then 2015.
The politician acted for the coastal town of the district in the state government from the year 2011. He resigned as a Liberal Party minister when accusations emerged in 2021 but declined to leave his seat and returned to office in 2023.
Sentencing Details
Justice the court official considered his visual impairment of vision impairment in the judgment and concluded "no different consequence besides imprisonment could be considered".
Ward, who appeared via video-link at Parramatta District Court, will serve at no less than nearly four years in custody before he can apply for conditional freedom.
The judge declared the judicial system needs to "send a stern message to like-minded offenders that illegal behaviors of this nature will be subject to salutary penalties".
Further Details
She also said the convicted man had "avoided punishment for ten years and enjoyed a life without a programme or punishment for his crimes during those years".
Following the verdict, the individual attempted a failed appeal attempt to continue in his position and left office just prior to the congress could remove him.
Representatives has previously said he aims to appeal the ruling.
Case Facts
His nine-week trial in the NSW District Court heard that he asked a drunk teenager to his residence in 2013 and attacked him three times, despite his attempts to fight back.
In 2015, he attacked a 24-year-old government employee at his home after an event at government offices.
Ward had argued the second incident never occurred, and that the first victim was misremembering their interaction from 2013.
However, prosecutors maintained that notable parallels in the accounts of the individuals, who had no connection to one another, showed they were telling the truth.
A jury debated for multiple days before delivering the convictions.
Ward's resignation prompted a replacement vote in the district in autumn, which was won by the Labor candidate.