Ex- Australian Politician Sentenced for Over 60 Months for Sexual Offenses

An ex- lawmaker sentenced of sexually abusing two victims he met through work was given to nearly six years in prison.

Legal Proceedings

The defendant, mid-forties, has been in custody since mid-year after judicial panel convicted him of sexually assaulting one man and sexually abusing another, in separate incidents in over two years.

Ward acted for the seaside community of the regional area in the New South Wales parliament from 2011. He left his position as a government minister when allegations came to light in recent years but refused to quit his seat and was re-elected in 2023.

Sentencing Details

Judge the judicial figure took into account the defendant's condition of sight disability in the ruling and found "no other penalty besides imprisonment is appropriate".

The defendant, who was present via video-link at the judicial venue, will serve at minimum three years and nine months in detention before he can apply for parole.

Justice Shead said the legal system needs to "issue a clear statement to like-minded offenders that illegal behaviors of this nature will be subject to salutary penalties".

Additional Information

The judge added Ward had "avoided punishment for a decade and lived freely free from a treatment or consequence for his crimes during those years".

Post-trial, Ward initiated a failed legal bid to stay in parliament and left office just prior to the congress could oust him.

Defense attorneys has previously said he intends to appeal the conviction.

Incident Details

The defendant's lengthy proceedings in the NSW District Court was told that he brought a drunk young adult to his home in 2013 and indecently assaulted him three times, despite the victim's efforts to resist.

In 2015, he sexually assaulted a 24-year-old government employee at his home after an event at government offices.

The defendant had argued the second incident was fabricated, and that the additional accuser was inaccurate regarding their interaction from 2013.

The state's attorneys contended that striking similarities in the testimonies of the individuals, who were unacquainted with one another, demonstrated they were being honest.

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

The political exit led to a special election in the district in September, which was secured by the challenger.