Former Australian Lawmaker Imprisoned for Above Half a Decade for Sex Crimes

An ex- public official found guilty of attacking two young men he met through professional activities received a sentence to 69 months in jail.

Case Details

Gareth Ward, 44, remained in custody since mid-year after judicial panel determined his guilt of sexually assaulting one man and attacking a second person, in multiple events in 2013 then 2015.

The politician represented the seaside community of Kiama in the state government from over a decade ago. He stepped down as a government minister when allegations surfaced in 2021 but declined to leave the legislature and was re-elected in last year.

Judgment Information

Judge Kara Shead considered Ward's disability of legal blindness in the ruling and found "no alternative punishment other than detention would be suitable".

Ward, who participated via video-link at the judicial venue, will complete at minimum three years and nine months in custody before he can apply for parole.

The judge said the court needs to "issue a clear statement to similar individuals that criminal acts such as this will be met with salutary penalties".

Further Details

She also said the convicted man had "evaded consequences for multiple years and lived freely absent a treatment or penalty for his actions during those years".

Following the verdict, the individual attempted a rejected appeal attempt to stay in his position and stepped down just prior to the legislature could expel him.

Representatives has indicated before he aims to challenge the guilty verdict.

Trial Evidence

The defendant's lengthy proceedings in the state court learned that he invited a drunk teenager to his property in 2013 and attacked him three times, despite resistance attempts to oppose.

In 2015, he raped a 24-year-old political staffer at his home after a function at parliament.

Ward had argued the 2015 rape didn't happen, and that the other complainant was inaccurate regarding their encounter from the first incident.

But the prosecution maintained that significant resemblances in the testimonies of the individuals, who had no connection to the other, demonstrated they were accurate in their accounts.

Court members deliberated for multiple days before delivering the findings of guilt.

Ward's resignation led to a by-election in the district in last fall, which was secured by the challenger.