Previous Australian Lawmaker Sentenced for Over Five Years for Sex Crimes

An ex- lawmaker sentenced of sexually abusing two young men he met through professional activities was given to five years and nine months in jail.

Case Details

Gareth Ward, 44, has been in custody since July after a jury found him guilty of attacking one man and attacking another, in separate incidents in 2013 then 2015.

Ward served the seaside community of Kiama in the NSW parliament from the year 2011. He left his position as a political party cabinet member when the claims emerged in 2021 but resisted resigning from his seat and returned to office in 2023.

Sentencing Details

Judge the court official considered Ward's disability of legal blindness in the judgment and concluded "no other penalty other than detention could be considered".

The defendant, who participated via digital means at Parramatta District Court, will serve at no less than 45 months in prison before he can request early release.

The judge declared the legal system needs to "send a stern message to similar individuals that criminal acts like these will be met with salutary penalties".

Case Background

The judge added the defendant had "escaped justice for a decade and enjoyed a life without a treatment or penalty for his crimes during that period".

After his conviction, Ward initiated a failed appeal attempt to stay in his position and resigned just prior to the congress could expel him.

Defense attorneys has stated earlier he plans to appeal the conviction.

Incident Details

Ward's extended court case in the NSW District Court learned that he invited a intoxicated young adult to his residence in 2013 and sexually abused him repeatedly, despite his attempts to fight back.

In 2015, he raped a mid-twenties political staffer at his residence after an event at the legislature.

Ward had claimed the later assault didn't happen, and that the other complainant was confused about their meeting from 2013.

The state's attorneys maintained that striking similarities in the statements of the individuals, who had no connection to the other, proved they were being honest.

The panel debated for three days before delivering the convictions.

The political exit led to a special election in the district in autumn, which was won by the opposition party.