Previous Australian Politician Jailed for Above Five Years for Sexual Offenses
An ex- Australian politician convicted of attacking two young men connected through professional activities has been sentenced to 69 months in detention.
Trial Information
The former official, mid-forties, remained in custody since last summer after a jury found him guilty of raping a victim and attacking another, in multiple events in 2013 and 2015.
Ward represented the coastal town of the regional area in the New South Wales parliament from the year 2011. He stepped down as a political party official when allegations surfaced in 2021 but declined to leave his seat and returned to office in last year.
Court Ruling
Judge Kara Shead evaluated his visual impairment of sight disability in the ruling and determined "no other penalty other than incarceration could be considered".
The defendant, who participated via video-link at Parramatta District Court, will undergo at minimum nearly four years in prison before he can seek parole.
Justice Shead declared the legal system needs to "send a stern message to like-minded offenders that illegal behaviors like these will be faced with salutary penalties".
Further Details
She also said Ward had "avoided punishment for ten years and enjoyed a life free from a treatment or penalty for his actions during that period".
Following the verdict, the individual attempted a rejected appeal attempt to remain in parliament and left office shortly before the legislature could expel him.
His legal team has stated earlier he aims to challenge the conviction.
Trial Evidence
His nine-week trial in the state court was told that he invited a intoxicated 18-year-old man to his residence in 2013 and sexually abused him repeatedly, despite his attempts to fight back.
Two years later, he sexually assaulted a young government employee at his residence after an event at parliament.
Ward had maintained the second incident didn't happen, and that the additional accuser was confused about their interaction from the earlier year.
The state's attorneys contended that notable parallels in the accounts of the individuals, who had no connection to one another, demonstrated they were accurate in their accounts.
The panel deliberated for three days before returning the convictions.
His departure prompted a by-election in the district in September, which was won by the opposition party.
