🔗 Share this article Former Australian Politician Sentenced for More Than Half a Decade for Criminal Acts The convicted individual was sentenced for nearly six years for criminal acts of two victims An ex- public official found guilty of sexually abusing two individuals encountered via his position was given to nearly six years in jail. Case Details Gareth Ward, mid-forties, remained in prison since last summer after the court found him guilty of sexually assaulting one man and indecently assaulting another, in multiple events in over two years. The defendant represented the seaside community of the regional area in the state parliament from over a decade ago. He left his position as a government cabinet member when the claims emerged in 2021 but refused to quit the legislature and won again in 2023. Sentencing Details Judge Kara Shead considered his visual impairment of sight disability in her sentence and concluded "no other penalty except for imprisonment is appropriate". The defendant, who participated via digital means at Parramatta District Court, will undergo at no less than three years and nine months in prison before he can request early release. The judge said the legal system needs to "issue a clear statement to similar individuals that sexual offendings of this nature will be met with significant consequences". Further Details Additionally stated the convicted man had "avoided punishment for multiple years and enjoyed a life without a rehabilitation program or penalty for his actions during those years". After his conviction, Ward attempted a rejected court challenge to continue in his position and stepped down moments before the legislature could remove him. His legal team has stated earlier he intends to contest the guilty verdict. Incident Details Ward's extended court case in the state court learned that he asked a inebriated teenager to his home in 2013 and attacked him three times, despite the victim's efforts to oppose. In 2015, he sexually assaulted a mid-twenties government employee at his residence after an event at parliament. The defendant had maintained the later assault never occurred, and that the first victim was misremembering their meeting from 2013. However, prosecutors maintained that striking similarities in the testimonies of the individuals, who did not know one another, proved they were telling the truth. A jury debated for 72 hours before announcing the guilty verdicts. His departure prompted a by-election in Kiama in autumn, which was won by the opposition party.