Former Down Under Politician Sentenced for Over 60 Months for Sex Crimes
An ex- lawmaker found guilty of assaulting two young men connected through his position has been sentenced to 69 months in prison.
Trial Information
The former official, forty-four, remained in prison since July after judicial panel convicted him of raping an individual and attacking a second person, in multiple events in 2013 then 2015.
The defendant acted for the oceanfront municipality of the regional area in the New South Wales legislature from the year 2011. He resigned as a government minister when allegations emerged in 2021 but refused to quit parliament and was re-elected in 2023.
Sentencing Details
Judge the judicial figure took into account the defendant's condition of sight disability in her sentence and found "no other penalty except for detention could be considered".
The defendant, who participated via video-link at the courthouse, will complete at least 45 months in detention before he can apply for early release.
Justice Shead stated the court needs to "issue a clear statement to similar individuals that illegal behaviors like these will be faced with serious punishments".
Case Background
She also said the convicted man had "avoided punishment for multiple years and enjoyed a life free from a programme or penalty for the offenses during that period".
Following the verdict, Ward launched a failed appeal attempt to remain in parliament and resigned moments before the legislature could expel him.
Representatives has stated earlier he aims to contest the ruling.
Incident Details
His lengthy proceedings in the judicial venue heard that he invited a inebriated young adult to his property in 2013 and sexually abused him on multiple occasions, despite the victim's efforts to fight back.
Subsequently, he raped a mid-twenties office worker at his residence after an event at the legislature.
He had argued the 2015 rape never occurred, and that the first victim was misremembering their interaction from the earlier year.
The state's attorneys maintained that significant resemblances in the testimonies of the individuals, who were unacquainted with the other, demonstrated they were telling the truth.
A jury considered for 72 hours before announcing the guilty verdicts.
The political exit caused a replacement vote in the district in last fall, which was secured by the Labor candidate.
