Ex- Australian Public Figure Imprisoned for Above Half a Decade for Sexual Offenses
A former public official found guilty of attacking two victims connected through professional activities was given to nearly six years in prison.
Legal Proceedings
Gareth Ward, 44, has been in prison since last summer after judicial panel found him guilty of raping one man and attacking another, in multiple events in 2013 and 2015.
Ward represented the coastal town of the regional area in the NSW government from 2011. He left his position as a political party official when the claims came to light in 2021 but resisted resigning from parliament and was re-elected in 2023.
Court Ruling
Justice the court official evaluated Ward's disability of legal blindness in her sentence and found "no different consequence other than imprisonment is appropriate".
The convicted individual, who participated via remote connection at Parramatta District Court, will serve at least 45 months in prison before he can apply for parole.
The judge said the legal system needs to "send a stern message to like-minded offenders that sexual offendings of this nature will be faced with salutary penalties".
Further Details
She also said Ward had "avoided punishment for ten years and lived freely absent a rehabilitation program or consequence for his actions during that time".
Following the verdict, Ward launched a failed court challenge to continue in government and resigned moments before the members could expel him.
His legal team has previously said he plans to challenge the ruling.
Case Facts
His nine-week trial in the state court heard that he brought a intoxicated young adult to his home in 2013 and sexually abused him on multiple occasions, despite resistance attempts to oppose.
Two years later, he raped a mid-twenties office worker at his property after a gathering at parliament.
He had argued the second incident was fabricated, and that the first victim was confused about their interaction from the earlier year.
But the prosecution maintained that significant resemblances in the accounts of the individuals, who had no connection to one another, showed they were telling the truth.
Court members considered for three days before returning the findings of guilt.
Ward's resignation led to a special election in his constituency in last fall, which was claimed by the opposition party.
