Ex- Down Under Public Figure Imprisoned for Above 60 Months for Sex Crimes

A former public official sentenced of assaulting two victims he met through professional activities received a sentence to five years and nine months in detention.

Trial Information

The former official, 44, remained in custody since mid-year after a jury determined his guilt of sexually assaulting a victim and indecently assaulting another, in separate incidents in 2013 and 2015.

Ward acted for the seaside community of Kiama in the state legislature from the year 2011. He resigned as a political party official when allegations surfaced in 2021 but refused to quit parliament and was re-elected in 2023.

Sentencing Details

Judge Kara Shead considered the defendant's condition of sight disability in the judgment and found "no different consequence besides detention would be suitable".

Ward, who appeared via digital means at Parramatta District Court, will serve at minimum 45 months in detention before he can seek parole.

Justice Shead said the court needs to "issue a clear statement to like-minded offenders that illegal behaviors like these will be faced with serious punishments".

Additional Information

Additionally stated the convicted man had "avoided punishment for ten years and enjoyed a life without a programme or consequence for his crimes during that period".

Post-trial, Ward attempted a rejected legal bid to continue in parliament and resigned shortly before the congress could expel him.

Defense attorneys has previously said he intends to challenge the guilty verdict.

Case Facts

The defendant's extended court case in the NSW District Court learned that he brought a drunk young adult to his property in 2013 and indecently assaulted him three times, despite resistance attempts to fight back.

In 2015, he raped a 24-year-old political staffer at his residence after a function at parliament.

The defendant had claimed the second incident was fabricated, and that the additional accuser was inaccurate regarding their interaction from 2013.

The state's attorneys contended that significant resemblances in the statements of the victims, who were unacquainted with the other, demonstrated they were accurate in their accounts.

The panel considered for three days before announcing the guilty verdicts.

Ward's resignation prompted a special election in his constituency in September, which was claimed by the challenger.