Former Australian Lawmaker Sentenced for Over 60 Months for Sexual Offenses
One-time lawmaker found guilty of sexually abusing two victims connected through work received a sentence to 69 months in jail.
Legal Proceedings
The former official, mid-forties, was in prison since July after the court found him guilty of attacking an individual and indecently assaulting a second person, in multiple events in 2013 and 2015.
Ward served the seaside community of the regional area in the state parliament from over a decade ago. He resigned as a government cabinet member when allegations surfaced in 2021 but refused to quit the legislature and won again in 2023.
Court Ruling
The presiding officer the court official took into account his visual impairment of vision impairment in the judgment and concluded "no alternative punishment besides imprisonment could be considered".
Ward, who participated via digital means at the courthouse, will undergo at no less than 45 months in custody before he can seek parole.
Justice Shead stated the legal system needs to "issue a clear statement to potential criminals that criminal acts such as this will be subject to significant consequences".
Case Background
Additionally stated the defendant had "escaped justice for a decade and enjoyed a life absent a rehabilitation program or penalty for the offenses during that period".
After his conviction, Ward attempted a rejected appeal attempt to stay in his position and resigned just prior to the legislature could expel him.
Representatives has previously said he plans to appeal the guilty verdict.
Incident Details
Ward's nine-week trial in the state court heard that he asked a drunk teenager to his residence in 2013 and indecently assaulted him three times, despite his attempts to resist.
Subsequently, he raped a mid-twenties government employee at his property after a gathering at the legislature.
The defendant had claimed the second incident was fabricated, and that the additional accuser was misremembering their interaction from 2013.
But the prosecution maintained that notable parallels in the accounts of the victims, who did not know the other, showed they were telling the truth.
The panel considered for 72 hours before delivering the guilty verdicts.
His departure caused a by-election in Kiama in September, which was secured by the Labor candidate.
