Former Australian Public Figure Imprisoned for Over Five Years for Sex Crimes
One-time public official sentenced of assaulting two young men encountered via work received a sentence to five years and nine months in detention.
Case Details
Gareth Ward, forty-four, remained in jail since mid-year after the court determined his guilt of attacking a victim and attacking another individual, in different occasions in 2013 then 2015.
Ward acted for the coastal town of the regional area in the state parliament from the year 2011. He resigned as a Liberal Party minister when the claims surfaced in 2021 but refused to quit parliament and was re-elected in 2023.
Sentencing Details
Justice the court official evaluated his visual impairment of vision impairment in the judgment and found "no other penalty besides detention is appropriate".
The defendant, who appeared via digital means at the courthouse, will complete at no less than nearly four years in detention before he can request parole.
The judge stated the legal system needs to "issue a clear statement to similar individuals that illegal behaviors such as this will be faced with salutary penalties".
Case Background
The judge added the defendant had "escaped justice for multiple years and experienced freedom without a treatment or punishment for the offenses during that time".
Post-trial, the individual attempted a unsuccessful court challenge to continue in parliament and left office moments before the members could oust him.
Representatives has previously said he aims to appeal the guilty verdict.
Case Facts
Ward's lengthy proceedings in the NSW District Court heard that he asked a intoxicated young adult to his property in 2013 and attacked him repeatedly, despite his attempts to oppose.
Subsequently, he attacked a 24-year-old office worker at his residence after a function at the legislature.
Ward had argued the 2015 rape never occurred, and that the additional accuser was confused about their meeting from 2013.
The state's attorneys contended that striking similarities in the accounts of the individuals, who had no connection to one another, demonstrated they were being honest.
The panel considered for multiple days before delivering the findings of guilt.
The political exit led to a by-election in his constituency in autumn, which was claimed by the Labor candidate.
