Ex- Down Under Politician Imprisoned for Above 60 Months for Criminal Acts
A former lawmaker found guilty of assaulting two individuals he met through professional activities was given to 69 months in prison.
Trial Information
The former official, forty-four, has been in jail since mid-year after the court determined his guilt of raping an individual and attacking another individual, in multiple events in over two years.
The defendant served the oceanfront municipality of Kiama in the New South Wales parliament from 2011. He stepped down as a political party official when the claims came to light in 2021 but declined to leave parliament and won again in 2023.
Judgment Information
Justice the judicial figure considered Ward's disability of sight disability in her sentence and found "no different consequence except for incarceration is appropriate".
The convicted individual, who appeared via remote connection at Parramatta District Court, will undergo at least 45 months in prison before he can request parole.
The court official said the court needs to "send a stern message to like-minded offenders that illegal behaviors like these will be met with significant consequences".
Case Background
She also said the convicted man had "evaded consequences for multiple years and lived freely free from a rehabilitation program or penalty for the offenses during that time".
After his conviction, the individual launched a unsuccessful court challenge to continue in government and resigned moments before the congress could oust him.
Defense attorneys has indicated before he aims to appeal the conviction.
Case Facts
Ward's lengthy proceedings in the NSW District Court heard that he brought a drunk 18-year-old man to his property in 2013 and indecently assaulted him repeatedly, despite the victim's efforts to resist.
In 2015, he attacked a young office worker at his residence after a function at government offices.
Ward had maintained the second incident was fabricated, and that the additional accuser was confused about their interaction from the earlier year.
The state's attorneys maintained that significant resemblances in the statements of the victims, who were unacquainted with each other, proved they were telling the truth.
The panel deliberated for 72 hours before delivering the findings of guilt.
Ward's resignation prompted a by-election in Kiama in last fall, which was won by the challenger.
