Previous Australian Politician Sentenced for Above Five Years for Sex Crimes
A former public official found guilty of sexually abusing two individuals connected through professional activities received a sentence to 69 months in jail.
Legal Proceedings
The former official, 44, was in prison since mid-year after judicial panel convicted him of attacking an individual and sexually abusing a second person, in different occasions in 2013 then 2015.
The defendant represented the seaside community of Kiama in the state legislature from the year 2011. He stepped down as a government official when allegations emerged in 2021 but refused to quit parliament and returned to office in 2023.
Judgment Information
The presiding officer the court official considered his visual impairment of sight disability in her sentence and found "no alternative punishment besides incarceration could be considered".
Ward, who appeared via remote connection at the judicial venue, will serve at minimum 45 months in detention before he can request parole.
The court official said the court needs to "deliver a strong warning to like-minded offenders that sexual offendings of this nature will be met with serious punishments".
Case Background
Additionally stated the convicted man had "avoided punishment for a decade and enjoyed a life without a treatment or penalty for his actions during that period".
Following the verdict, the politician initiated a failed legal bid to continue in government and resigned moments before the congress could expel him.
Defense attorneys has indicated before he aims to appeal the ruling.
Trial Evidence
Ward's nine-week trial in the state court heard that he asked a inebriated teenager to his property in 2013 and sexually abused him on multiple occasions, despite his attempts to fight back.
In 2015, he sexually assaulted a mid-twenties political staffer at his property after a gathering at the legislature.
Ward had argued the later assault was fabricated, and that the other complainant was inaccurate regarding their meeting from the earlier year.
The state's attorneys contended that notable parallels in the testimonies of the two men, who did not know each other, demonstrated they were being honest.
A jury debated for multiple days before returning the findings of guilt.
His departure led to a special election in his constituency in September, which was secured by the opposition party.
