Ex- Down Under Politician Sentenced for Over Half a Decade for Sex Crimes

One-time Australian politician found guilty of attacking two individuals connected through work received a sentence to five years and nine months in detention.

Case Details

The former official, mid-forties, remained in prison since last summer after judicial panel convicted him of sexually assaulting an individual and attacking another individual, in separate incidents in 2013 then 2015.

The politician represented the coastal town of the district in the state government from the year 2011. He resigned as a political party official when allegations came to light in 2021 but refused to quit the legislature and won again in 2023.

Court Ruling

Judge the court official took into account the defendant's condition of sight disability in her sentence and concluded "no different consequence besides detention would be suitable".

Ward, who was present via remote connection at the courthouse, will complete at least nearly four years in detention before he can apply for early release.

Justice Shead said the judicial system needs to "deliver a strong warning to like-minded offenders that illegal behaviors such as this will be subject to significant consequences".

Further Details

Additionally stated the defendant had "avoided punishment for ten years and experienced freedom absent a rehabilitation program or punishment for his crimes during that time".

After his conviction, the politician launched a rejected court challenge to stay in parliament and left office just prior to the members could remove him.

His legal team has stated earlier he intends to challenge the guilty verdict.

Case Facts

The defendant's lengthy proceedings in the NSW District Court was told that he brought a intoxicated young adult to his residence in 2013 and sexually abused him three times, despite the victim's efforts to oppose.

In 2015, he sexually assaulted a young political staffer at his residence after a gathering at parliament.

Ward had claimed the later assault was fabricated, and that the other complainant was confused about their interaction from the first incident.

However, prosecutors contended that striking similarities in the statements of the victims, who had no connection to one another, proved they were accurate in their accounts.

Court members debated for multiple days before delivering the findings of guilt.

The political exit caused a by-election in his constituency in autumn, which was secured by the opposition party.