Previous Australian Politician Sentenced for More Than Half a Decade for Sexual Offenses
A former public official found guilty of sexually abusing two victims encountered via work was given to nearly six years in prison.
Legal Proceedings
The former official, 44, remained in jail since July after a jury convicted him of raping an individual and attacking a second person, in multiple events in 2013 and 2015.
Ward represented the oceanfront municipality of the regional area in the New South Wales government from over a decade ago. He left his position as a Liberal Party cabinet member when allegations surfaced in recent years but declined to leave his seat and returned to office in 2023.
Court Ruling
Justice the judicial figure evaluated the defendant's condition of sight disability in the judgment and concluded "no alternative punishment other than detention would be suitable".
The defendant, who participated via digital means at the courthouse, will undergo at minimum three years and nine months in custody before he can request early release.
Justice Shead stated the legal system needs to "issue a clear statement to similar individuals that criminal acts such as this will be subject to significant consequences".
Additional Information
The judge added the convicted man had "evaded consequences for ten years and enjoyed a life without a rehabilitation program or punishment for his actions during that period".
Post-trial, Ward initiated a unsuccessful appeal attempt to stay in his position and left office just prior to the congress could remove him.
His legal team has stated earlier he intends to appeal the ruling.
Case Facts
Ward's extended court case in the judicial venue was told that he invited a intoxicated teenager to his residence in 2013 and indecently assaulted him on multiple occasions, despite the victim's efforts to fight back.
In 2015, he sexually assaulted a young office worker at his residence after a gathering at parliament.
Ward had maintained the second incident was fabricated, and that the additional accuser was confused about their meeting from 2013.
But the prosecution maintained that notable parallels in the testimonies of the two men, who were unacquainted with each other, showed they were telling the truth.
A jury deliberated for three days before delivering the findings of guilt.
Ward's resignation caused a special election in the district in last fall, which was secured by the opposition party.
