Ex- Australian Lawmaker Imprisoned for Above Half a Decade for Sex Crimes
A former lawmaker convicted of attacking two young men he met through professional activities has been sentenced to nearly six years in jail.
Case Details
The former official, forty-four, was in prison since mid-year after the court convicted him of attacking an individual and indecently assaulting another, in different occasions in over two years.
The defendant represented the coastal town of Kiama in the NSW legislature from over a decade ago. He left his position as a Liberal Party minister when the claims surfaced in recent years but resisted resigning from the legislature and returned to office in last year.
Sentencing Details
Judge Kara Shead considered Ward's disability of sight disability in her sentence and determined "no different consequence other than imprisonment would be suitable".
The defendant, who appeared via digital means at the courthouse, will serve at no less than nearly four years in detention before he can apply for parole.
The court official declared the judicial system needs to "send a stern message to potential criminals that illegal behaviors like these will be faced with salutary penalties".
Further Details
Additionally stated the convicted man had "avoided punishment for a decade and experienced freedom absent a programme or consequence for his crimes during those years".
After his conviction, the politician launched a rejected appeal attempt to remain in parliament and resigned just prior to the congress could expel him.
Representatives has previously said he intends to challenge the conviction.
Case Facts
The defendant's nine-week trial in the state court learned that he brought a inebriated young adult to his residence in 2013 and attacked him three times, despite resistance attempts to resist.
Subsequently, he attacked a 24-year-old office worker at his residence after an event at government offices.
Ward had argued the later assault didn't happen, and that the additional accuser was misremembering their meeting from the earlier year.
But the prosecution maintained that significant resemblances in the testimonies of the victims, who were unacquainted with one another, showed they were being honest.
Court members debated for three days before announcing the convictions.
His departure prompted a replacement vote in the district in autumn, which was claimed by the opposition party.
