Former Australian Public Figure Jailed for Over 60 Months for Sexual Offenses
A former public official sentenced of assaulting two victims connected through work received a sentence to nearly six years in jail.
Case Details
The former official, forty-four, was in custody since mid-year after a jury found him guilty of sexually assaulting a victim and indecently assaulting a second person, in separate incidents in 2013 and 2015.
The politician served the seaside community of Kiama in the state legislature from the year 2011. He stepped down as a political party official when allegations emerged in recent years but declined to leave the legislature and was re-elected in 2023.
Court Ruling
Justice Kara Shead took into account Ward's disability of sight disability in the ruling and found "no alternative punishment other than detention could be considered".
The defendant, who appeared via digital means at the judicial venue, will complete at least nearly four years in custody before he can seek conditional freedom.
The judge said the legal system needs to "deliver a strong warning to like-minded offenders that illegal behaviors like these will be subject to significant consequences".
Further Details
She also said Ward had "escaped justice for ten years and enjoyed a life free from a rehabilitation program or penalty for his crimes during that time".
Post-trial, Ward launched a unsuccessful legal bid to stay in his position and left office just prior to the legislature could remove him.
Defense attorneys has indicated before he aims to appeal the guilty verdict.
Incident Details
The defendant's extended court case in the state court learned that he invited a intoxicated teenager to his property in 2013 and indecently assaulted him three times, despite the victim's efforts to fight back.
Two years later, he sexually assaulted a young political staffer at his home after a gathering at the legislature.
Ward had argued the later assault never occurred, and that the other complainant was inaccurate regarding their interaction from 2013.
However, prosecutors argued that significant resemblances in the accounts of the two men, who did not know each other, showed they were telling the truth.
A jury considered for 72 hours before announcing the findings of guilt.
His departure led to a replacement vote in Kiama in September, which was claimed by the opposition party.
