Ex- Down Under Public Figure Imprisoned for Above Five Years for Sexual Offenses
One-time Australian politician found guilty of assaulting two individuals connected through work received a sentence to 69 months in jail.
Legal Proceedings
Gareth Ward, 44, has been in jail since last summer after judicial panel determined his guilt of attacking one man and attacking another individual, in multiple events in 2013 and 2015.
The defendant served the coastal town of Kiama in the New South Wales government from the year 2011. He left his position as a government official when allegations surfaced in 2021 but refused to quit parliament and was re-elected in last year.
Court Ruling
Justice Kara Shead evaluated his visual impairment of sight disability in the judgment and concluded "no alternative punishment other than incarceration could be considered".
The convicted individual, who appeared via remote connection at Parramatta District Court, will serve at least nearly four years in prison before he can apply for conditional freedom.
The judge declared the legal system needs to "issue a clear statement to similar individuals that illegal behaviors of this nature will be subject to significant consequences".
Further Details
She also said the defendant had "escaped justice for a decade and lived freely free from a programme or punishment for his crimes during that period".
Post-trial, the individual attempted a failed appeal attempt to stay in parliament and left office shortly before the legislature could remove him.
Representatives has stated earlier he plans to appeal the conviction.
Case Facts
His extended court case in the state court learned that he invited a drunk 18-year-old man to his property in 2013 and indecently assaulted him repeatedly, despite the victim's efforts to oppose.
In 2015, he sexually assaulted a mid-twenties government employee at his property after a function at parliament.
The defendant had argued the later assault didn't happen, and that the other complainant was inaccurate regarding their meeting from 2013.
The state's attorneys contended that notable parallels in the accounts of the individuals, who were unacquainted with one another, showed they were accurate in their accounts.
A jury debated for three days before announcing the convictions.
The political exit caused a by-election in his constituency in autumn, which was secured by the Labor candidate.
