Former Australian Politician Sentenced for Above Half a Decade for Sex Crimes
An ex- Australian politician sentenced of sexually abusing two individuals he met through his position was given to five years and nine months in jail.
Case Details
Gareth Ward, 44, remained in custody since July after judicial panel determined his guilt of raping an individual and indecently assaulting another, in separate incidents in 2013 and 2015.
The politician acted for the oceanfront municipality of Kiama in the state legislature from over a decade ago. He left his position as a political party minister when allegations surfaced in 2021 but refused to quit his seat and returned to office in 2023.
Sentencing Details
The presiding officer the judicial figure evaluated Ward's disability of sight disability in her sentence and found "no different consequence other than incarceration could be considered".
The convicted individual, who was present via video-link at the judicial venue, will complete at least three years and nine months in custody before he can request conditional freedom.
The judge said the court needs to "send a stern message to potential criminals that sexual offendings of this nature will be subject to serious punishments".
Case Background
Additionally stated the convicted man had "evaded consequences for ten years and lived freely absent a rehabilitation program or penalty for the offenses during that period".
Post-trial, the politician initiated a failed legal bid to remain in parliament and resigned just prior to the congress could remove him.
His legal team has indicated before he plans to challenge the ruling.
Case Facts
His lengthy proceedings in the judicial venue heard that he asked a drunk 18-year-old man to his home in the first incident and sexually abused him on multiple occasions, despite his attempts to oppose.
Subsequently, he sexually assaulted a 24-year-old government employee at his residence after a gathering at government offices.
Ward had claimed the second incident didn't happen, and that the first victim was confused about their encounter from the first incident.
However, prosecutors argued that striking similarities in the accounts of the individuals, who were unacquainted with the other, demonstrated they were being honest.
The panel considered for multiple days before delivering the guilty verdicts.
His departure prompted a replacement vote in the district in September, which was secured by the challenger.
