Former Down Under Public Figure Jailed for Over 60 Months for Sexual Offenses
A former lawmaker convicted of assaulting two individuals encountered via work has been sentenced to five years and nine months in jail.
Legal Proceedings
The former official, forty-four, remained in jail since last summer after a jury found him guilty of sexually assaulting one man and sexually abusing another individual, in different occasions in 2013 and 2015.
The defendant represented the seaside community of the regional area in the New South Wales government from 2011. He stepped down as a Liberal Party cabinet member when allegations emerged in 2021 but resisted resigning from his seat and won again in last year.
Sentencing Details
Judge Kara Shead evaluated the defendant's condition of legal blindness in the judgment and found "no other penalty besides detention is appropriate".
Ward, who participated via remote connection at Parramatta District Court, will complete at no less than three years and nine months in prison before he can request early release.
The judge stated the court needs to "deliver a strong warning to similar individuals that illegal behaviors of this nature will be subject to salutary penalties".
Case Background
The judge added Ward had "escaped justice for multiple years and experienced freedom without a rehabilitation program or punishment for the offenses during that period".
After his conviction, the individual launched a rejected court challenge to continue in parliament and resigned moments before the members could oust him.
His legal team has stated earlier he plans to contest the conviction.
Trial Evidence
His nine-week trial in the judicial venue was told that he brought a intoxicated teenager to his home in the first incident and sexually abused him repeatedly, despite the victim's efforts to resist.
Subsequently, he sexually assaulted a mid-twenties political staffer at his residence after a function at the legislature.
The defendant had maintained the later assault was fabricated, and that the other complainant was confused about their meeting from the first incident.
However, prosecutors maintained that striking similarities in the statements of the victims, who were unacquainted with the other, demonstrated they were being honest.
Court members debated for 72 hours before delivering the guilty verdicts.
The political exit led to a special election in his constituency in last fall, which was claimed by the opposition party.
