Previous Australian Politician Jailed for Over 60 Months for Sex Crimes
An ex- public official convicted of sexually abusing two young men he met through his position received a sentence to nearly six years in prison.
Trial Information
The former official, mid-forties, remained in custody since mid-year after the court convicted him of attacking one man and attacking another individual, in separate incidents in 2013 then 2015.
The politician acted for the coastal town of the regional area in the NSW government from the year 2011. He resigned as a political party minister when accusations surfaced in 2021 but refused to quit the legislature and won again in 2023.
Sentencing Details
Justice the court official considered the defendant's condition of sight disability in the judgment and concluded "no alternative punishment other than imprisonment would be suitable".
Ward, who participated via video-link at Parramatta District Court, will complete at least 45 months in custody before he can apply for early release.
Justice Shead stated the court needs to "issue a clear statement to like-minded offenders that illegal behaviors of this nature will be subject to significant consequences".
Case Background
She also said Ward had "escaped justice for a decade and lived freely absent a rehabilitation program or penalty for his actions during that time".
Post-trial, Ward attempted a rejected appeal attempt to continue in government and left office shortly before the members could oust him.
His legal team has previously said he plans to appeal the conviction.
Case Facts
Ward's lengthy proceedings in the NSW District Court heard that he invited a drunk 18-year-old man to his home in the first incident and sexually abused him on multiple occasions, despite his attempts to resist.
Two years later, he attacked a mid-twenties government employee at his property after a function at government offices.
Ward had maintained the 2015 rape didn't happen, and that the additional accuser was misremembering their meeting from the earlier year.
However, prosecutors maintained that striking similarities in the accounts of the two men, who were unacquainted with the other, proved they were telling the truth.
A jury deliberated for three days before announcing the guilty verdicts.
Ward's resignation caused a replacement vote in Kiama in September, which was secured by the challenger.
