Former Australian Lawmaker Jailed for More Than Half a Decade for Sexual Offenses
One-time lawmaker sentenced of sexually abusing two individuals he met through work was given to nearly six years in prison.
Legal Proceedings
Gareth Ward, 44, remained in custody since last summer after the court convicted him of attacking an individual and attacking another individual, in multiple events in 2013 and 2015.
The politician represented the seaside community of the regional area in the state parliament from 2011. He left his position as a Liberal Party minister when accusations emerged in 2021 but refused to quit parliament and won again in 2023.
Judgment Information
Justice the judicial figure took into account his visual impairment of legal blindness in the judgment and found "no different consequence besides detention is appropriate".
The defendant, who participated via remote connection at the judicial venue, will serve at no less than 45 months in custody before he can request early release.
The court official said the legal system needs to "deliver a strong warning to like-minded offenders that illegal behaviors such as this will be met with serious punishments".
Case Background
The judge added the defendant had "evaded consequences for multiple years and lived freely free from a rehabilitation program or consequence for the offenses during those years".
Post-trial, the individual attempted a unsuccessful legal bid to stay in government and resigned shortly before the legislature could oust him.
Representatives has previously said he aims to appeal the conviction.
Case Facts
His extended court case in the state court learned that he brought a drunk teenager to his residence in the first incident and attacked him repeatedly, despite the victim's efforts to fight back.
In 2015, he raped a mid-twenties office worker at his residence after a gathering at parliament.
He had argued the second incident never occurred, and that the additional accuser was confused about their encounter from 2013.
However, prosecutors argued that notable parallels in the accounts of the two men, who did not know each other, showed they were telling the truth.
Court members deliberated for multiple days before returning the findings of guilt.
Ward's resignation prompted a by-election in Kiama in last fall, which was claimed by the opposition party.
