Previous Down Under Public Figure Jailed for More Than 60 Months for Sex Crimes
An ex- Australian politician found guilty of assaulting two victims encountered via his position has been sentenced to five years and nine months in jail.
Trial Information
The defendant, mid-forties, remained in prison since last summer after judicial panel determined his guilt of sexually assaulting one man and attacking a second person, in different occasions in over two years.
The politician acted for the oceanfront municipality of Kiama in the state legislature from the year 2011. He left his position as a Liberal Party cabinet member when accusations surfaced in 2021 but resisted resigning from the legislature and won again in 2023.
Judgment Information
Justice the judicial figure evaluated Ward's disability of vision impairment in the judgment and determined "no different consequence besides incarceration is appropriate".
The defendant, who was present via remote connection at the judicial venue, will undergo at no less than three years and nine months in prison before he can apply for conditional freedom.
The court official stated the legal system needs to "issue a clear statement to like-minded offenders that sexual offendings such as this will be met with salutary penalties".
Further Details
She also said the defendant had "escaped justice for ten years and enjoyed a life free from a rehabilitation program or penalty for his actions during those years".
Following the verdict, the individual attempted a failed appeal attempt to remain in his position and resigned moments before the congress could remove him.
His legal team has stated earlier he aims to challenge the conviction.
Incident Details
Ward's lengthy proceedings in the NSW District Court heard that he brought a inebriated teenager to his property in 2013 and indecently assaulted him repeatedly, despite his attempts to oppose.
Two years later, he sexually assaulted a young government employee at his property after an event at government offices.
He had claimed the later assault was fabricated, and that the first victim was misremembering their interaction from the earlier year.
However, prosecutors maintained that notable parallels in the statements of the victims, who were unacquainted with each other, showed they were telling the truth.
A jury deliberated for 72 hours before returning the convictions.
His departure prompted a by-election in Kiama in last fall, which was secured by the Labor candidate.
