Ex- Down Under Politician Imprisoned for Over Five Years for Sexual Offenses
A former public official sentenced of attacking two victims encountered via work has been sentenced to nearly six years in detention.
Trial Information
The former official, 44, remained in jail since July after the court found him guilty of raping one man and sexually abusing a second person, in multiple events in 2013 then 2015.
The defendant acted for the seaside community of the regional area in the New South Wales government from 2011. He left his position as a political party minister when the claims emerged in 2021 but refused to quit parliament and returned to office in 2023.
Judgment Information
Judge Kara Shead considered his visual impairment of legal blindness in the ruling and determined "no different consequence except for detention could be considered".
The defendant, who participated via remote connection at the courthouse, will complete at least 45 months in custody before he can seek early release.
The judge said the judicial system needs to "deliver a strong warning to similar individuals that illegal behaviors such as this will be faced with salutary penalties".
Case Background
Additionally stated Ward had "avoided punishment for multiple years and lived freely without a treatment or penalty for the offenses during that time".
After his conviction, Ward initiated a failed legal bid to continue in government and stepped down moments before the members could expel him.
Defense attorneys has indicated before he aims to challenge the ruling.
Trial Evidence
His extended court case in the state court heard that he brought a inebriated young adult to his residence in the first incident and attacked him three times, despite the victim's efforts to resist.
Two years later, he attacked a young government employee at his property after a function at government offices.
Ward had maintained the second incident never occurred, and that the other complainant was confused about their meeting from the first incident.
However, prosecutors contended that notable parallels in the testimonies of the victims, who were unacquainted with each other, demonstrated they were being honest.
Court members debated for multiple days before returning the findings of guilt.
His departure led to a by-election in the district in autumn, which was won by the opposition party.
