Former Australian Public Figure Imprisoned for More Than 60 Months for Sexual Offenses
One-time public official sentenced of assaulting two young men connected through professional activities has been sentenced to 69 months in prison.
Case Details
Gareth Ward, 44, remained in prison since last summer after judicial panel found him guilty of attacking an individual and indecently assaulting another, in different occasions in over two years.
The politician served the oceanfront municipality of Kiama in the state legislature from the year 2011. He resigned as a Liberal Party official when allegations emerged in recent years but refused to quit parliament and won again in 2023.
Court Ruling
Judge the court official took into account Ward's disability of sight disability in the judgment and concluded "no other penalty except for detention is appropriate".
The defendant, who appeared via video-link at the courthouse, will serve at no less than nearly four years in prison before he can apply for early release.
The court official said the legal system needs to "issue a clear statement to similar individuals that criminal acts such as this will be faced with salutary penalties".
Case Background
Additionally stated the convicted man had "evaded consequences for ten years and experienced freedom absent a programme or penalty for his actions during those years".
After his conviction, the individual launched a unsuccessful legal bid to remain in his position and left office moments before the members could expel him.
His legal team has indicated before he aims to appeal the ruling.
Incident Details
His nine-week trial in the state court learned that he brought a drunk 18-year-old man to his property in 2013 and attacked him on multiple occasions, despite his attempts to oppose.
Two years later, he sexually assaulted a mid-twenties government employee at his residence after a function at parliament.
The defendant had maintained the later assault didn't happen, and that the additional accuser was inaccurate regarding their meeting from the earlier year.
The state's attorneys maintained that notable parallels in the testimonies of the individuals, who were unacquainted with each other, showed they were being honest.
A jury considered for multiple days before announcing the findings of guilt.
The political exit caused a special election in his constituency in September, which was secured by the Labor candidate.
