Previous Down Under Lawmaker Jailed for Above Half a Decade for Criminal Acts
A former Australian politician found guilty of attacking two individuals connected through professional activities has been sentenced to nearly six years in jail.
Legal Proceedings
The former official, mid-forties, was in custody since July after judicial panel found him guilty of attacking a victim and indecently assaulting another, in separate incidents in 2013 and 2015.
The defendant represented the coastal town of the regional area in the New South Wales government from the year 2011. He stepped down as a political party official when the claims emerged in 2021 but resisted resigning from his seat and was re-elected in 2023.
Sentencing Details
Judge Kara Shead considered his visual impairment of legal blindness in the judgment and concluded "no different consequence other than imprisonment is appropriate".
The defendant, who participated via video-link at the courthouse, will undergo at no less than three years and nine months in prison before he can apply for parole.
The court official declared the judicial system needs to "send a stern message to potential criminals that illegal behaviors like these will be faced with serious punishments".
Additional Information
She also said the convicted man had "evaded consequences for ten years and experienced freedom free from a treatment or punishment for the offenses during that period".
Following the verdict, Ward attempted a unsuccessful appeal attempt to remain in his position and stepped down just prior to the congress could oust him.
Representatives has previously said he aims to challenge the ruling.
Trial Evidence
The defendant's lengthy proceedings in the NSW District Court was told that he invited a intoxicated young adult to his property in the first incident and indecently assaulted him repeatedly, despite his attempts to oppose.
Two years later, he sexually assaulted a mid-twenties political staffer at his property after a gathering at government offices.
Ward had argued the later assault was fabricated, and that the first victim was inaccurate regarding their encounter from the earlier year.
The state's attorneys maintained that significant resemblances in the testimonies of the victims, who did not know one another, showed they were accurate in their accounts.
Court members deliberated for 72 hours before returning the convictions.
The political exit caused a by-election in Kiama in last fall, which was claimed by the opposition party.
