Previous Down Under Public Figure Sentenced for Over Half a Decade for Criminal Acts

An ex- public official sentenced of attacking two victims he met through his position was given to 69 months in jail.

Trial Information

The defendant, 44, was in custody since mid-year after a jury convicted him of raping a victim and indecently assaulting another individual, in separate incidents in 2013 then 2015.

The defendant served the coastal town of the regional area in the state legislature from the year 2011. He left his position as a political party official when accusations came to light in 2021 but refused to quit his seat and returned to office in 2023.

Court Ruling

The presiding officer Kara Shead took into account Ward's disability of vision impairment in her sentence and concluded "no alternative punishment besides imprisonment could be considered".

Ward, who participated via video-link at the judicial venue, will complete at no less than 45 months in prison before he can request conditional freedom.

The judge stated the court needs to "deliver a strong warning to like-minded offenders that illegal behaviors like these will be met with salutary penalties".

Additional Information

Additionally stated the defendant had "evaded consequences for multiple years and enjoyed a life absent a treatment or penalty for his crimes during that period".

After his conviction, the individual initiated a unsuccessful legal bid to remain in his position and stepped down just prior to the legislature could expel him.

Representatives has indicated before he intends to appeal the conviction.

Incident Details

Ward's lengthy proceedings in the NSW District Court learned that he asked a intoxicated 18-year-old man to his residence in 2013 and indecently assaulted him on multiple occasions, despite the victim's efforts to fight back.

In 2015, he raped a 24-year-old office worker at his home after an event at government offices.

He had claimed the second incident was fabricated, and that the additional accuser was confused about their encounter from the first incident.

However, prosecutors maintained that significant resemblances in the testimonies of the two men, who did not know each other, showed they were accurate in their accounts.

Court members considered for three days before announcing the findings of guilt.

Ward's resignation led to a special election in his constituency in autumn, which was secured by the Labor candidate.