🔗 Share this article

One-time lawmaker sentenced of attacking two individuals connected through his position received a sentence to nearly six years in prison.

Trial Information

The defendant, 44, remained in custody since mid-year after a jury convicted him of raping an individual and sexually abusing another individual, in multiple events in 2013 then 2015.

The defendant served the oceanfront municipality of the district in the NSW government from 2011. He left his position as a political party cabinet member when accusations came to light in recent years but refused to quit parliament and won again in last year.

Court Ruling

The presiding officer the court official considered the defendant's condition of sight disability in her sentence and found "no different consequence besides incarceration would be suitable".

Ward, who appeared via remote connection at the judicial venue, will serve at least nearly four years in prison before he can request early release.

The judge declared the judicial system needs to "send a stern message to similar individuals that illegal behaviors like these will be met with serious punishments".

Further Details

Additionally stated the defendant had "evaded consequences for a decade and enjoyed a life without a programme or consequence for his actions during that time".

After his conviction, Ward launched a failed legal bid to continue in government and stepped down moments before the legislature could expel him.

Defense attorneys has previously said he plans to appeal the conviction.

Trial Evidence

Ward's extended court case in the judicial venue heard that he brought a inebriated young adult to his property in 2013 and sexually abused him repeatedly, despite resistance attempts to fight back.

Two years later, he sexually assaulted a young office worker at his property after a gathering at government offices.

Ward had maintained the later assault never occurred, and that the other complainant was confused about their meeting from the first incident.

But the prosecution contended that striking similarities in the statements of the two men, who did not know one another, showed they were telling the truth.

A jury debated for three days before returning the convictions.

The political exit prompted a replacement vote in Kiama in last fall, which was claimed by the challenger.