Previous Australian Lawmaker Imprisoned for Over Five Years for Criminal Acts
One-time public official sentenced of sexually abusing two individuals encountered via work has been sentenced to 69 months in prison.
Case Details
The former official, mid-forties, has been in jail since last summer after the court determined his guilt of attacking one man and attacking another individual, in separate incidents in 2013 then 2015.
The defendant served the oceanfront municipality of the regional area in the NSW parliament from the year 2011. He stepped down as a government cabinet member when allegations emerged in recent years but refused to quit his seat and won again in 2023.
Judgment Information
Judge the court official considered Ward's disability of vision impairment in the judgment and found "no alternative punishment except for incarceration could be considered".
The convicted individual, who was present via remote connection at the judicial venue, will complete at least 45 months in custody before he can request conditional freedom.
The court official said the judicial system needs to "send a stern message to potential criminals that sexual offendings like these will be faced with serious punishments".
Additional Information
She also said the convicted man had "escaped justice for multiple years and experienced freedom absent a rehabilitation program or penalty for the offenses during those years".
After his conviction, the individual attempted a rejected court challenge to stay in government and left office just prior to the congress could expel him.
His legal team has previously said he aims to challenge the conviction.
Trial Evidence
His lengthy proceedings in the judicial venue heard that he asked a intoxicated teenager to his residence in 2013 and attacked him three times, despite his attempts to oppose.
Two years later, he attacked a 24-year-old government employee at his residence after a gathering at government offices.
Ward had argued the second incident was fabricated, and that the other complainant was confused about their encounter from the first incident.
But the prosecution argued that significant resemblances in the accounts of the victims, who were unacquainted with the other, showed they were telling the truth.
Court members considered for three days before returning the findings of guilt.
Ward's resignation led to a replacement vote in the district in autumn, which was won by the challenger.
