Former Down Under Lawmaker Imprisoned for More Than 60 Months for Sexual Offenses
One-time Australian politician found guilty of assaulting two individuals connected through work received a sentence to 69 months in jail.
Trial Information
The defendant, 44, has been in prison since mid-year after a jury convicted him of attacking one man and indecently assaulting a second person, in separate incidents in over two years.
Ward represented the oceanfront municipality of the district in the NSW parliament from over a decade ago. He left his position as a government official when accusations came to light in recent years but refused to quit the legislature and was re-elected in last year.
Court Ruling
The presiding officer Kara Shead took into account the defendant's condition of legal blindness in the ruling and concluded "no alternative punishment other than detention could be considered".
Ward, who was present via video-link at Parramatta District Court, will serve at minimum 45 months in detention before he can request parole.
The judge said the judicial system needs to "issue a clear statement to similar individuals that illegal behaviors of this nature will be faced with salutary penalties".
Further Details
The judge added Ward had "evaded consequences for a decade and experienced freedom free from a programme or punishment for his actions during that time".
Following the verdict, Ward attempted a failed legal bid to stay in parliament and resigned just prior to the legislature could oust him.
Defense attorneys has indicated before he plans to contest the conviction.
Incident Details
His extended court case in the state court was told that he asked a drunk teenager to his property in the first incident and indecently assaulted him three times, despite the victim's efforts to oppose.
In 2015, he attacked a young government employee at his home after a function at government offices.
He had argued the second incident was fabricated, and that the additional accuser was inaccurate regarding their meeting from 2013.
But the prosecution argued that striking similarities in the accounts of the two men, who did not know the other, demonstrated they were telling the truth.
The panel deliberated for three days before returning the findings of guilt.
The political exit prompted a by-election in the district in last fall, which was claimed by the challenger.
