Previous Australian Politician Imprisoned for Above Half a Decade for Sex Crimes
An ex- lawmaker convicted of sexually abusing two young men encountered via his position was given to nearly six years in detention.
Trial Information
The former official, 44, was in custody since July after the court found him guilty of sexually assaulting a victim and indecently assaulting another, in different occasions in 2013 then 2015.
The politician represented the oceanfront municipality of the regional area in the NSW government from over a decade ago. He left his position as a government official when allegations emerged in 2021 but refused to quit his seat and was re-elected in 2023.
Judgment Information
Judge the judicial figure considered his visual impairment of legal blindness in the judgment and found "no alternative punishment other than detention would be suitable".
The defendant, who was present via remote connection at the judicial venue, will undergo at minimum 45 months in detention before he can seek parole.
The court official said the court needs to "deliver a strong warning to like-minded offenders that sexual offendings such as this will be faced with salutary penalties".
Further Details
The judge added the convicted man had "escaped justice for ten years and experienced freedom absent a programme or consequence for the offenses during that period".
Following the verdict, Ward attempted a unsuccessful court challenge to stay in government and resigned just prior to the legislature could remove him.
Defense attorneys has stated earlier he plans to contest the conviction.
Incident Details
The defendant's extended court case in the state court heard that he brought a inebriated teenager to his property in 2013 and indecently assaulted him repeatedly, despite his attempts to resist.
Two years later, he attacked a young government employee at his property after an event at the legislature.
He had argued the second incident was fabricated, and that the other complainant was inaccurate regarding their encounter from the earlier year.
The state's attorneys argued that striking similarities in the testimonies of the individuals, who had no connection to one another, proved they were being honest.
A jury deliberated for 72 hours before delivering the findings of guilt.
The political exit prompted a replacement vote in Kiama in September, which was won by the Labor candidate.
