Previous Australian Public Figure Imprisoned for Above 60 Months for Sex Crimes
An ex- lawmaker sentenced of sexually abusing two young men connected through his position has been sentenced to five years and nine months in detention.
Trial Information
The former official, mid-forties, remained in prison since last summer after a jury convicted him of sexually assaulting one man and sexually abusing another individual, in multiple events in 2013 then 2015.
Ward served the oceanfront municipality of the regional area in the state parliament from over a decade ago. He stepped down as a political party cabinet member when accusations came to light in recent years but refused to quit parliament and was re-elected in 2023.
Court Ruling
The presiding officer Kara Shead evaluated Ward's disability of vision impairment in the judgment and concluded "no different consequence other than imprisonment could be considered".
Ward, who participated via remote connection at the judicial venue, will serve at minimum 45 months in detention before he can apply for early release.
Justice Shead stated the legal system needs to "send a stern message to potential criminals that illegal behaviors of this nature will be met with salutary penalties".
Case Background
The judge added Ward had "avoided punishment for multiple years and lived freely without a rehabilitation program or punishment for his crimes during those years".
Post-trial, the individual attempted a unsuccessful appeal attempt to continue in parliament and resigned shortly before the legislature could oust him.
His legal team has stated earlier he aims to challenge the ruling.
Case Facts
The defendant's nine-week trial in the judicial venue was told that he brought a drunk young adult to his residence in 2013 and sexually abused him on multiple occasions, despite resistance attempts to fight back.
In 2015, he raped a young office worker at his home after an event at government offices.
He had argued the second incident didn't happen, and that the other complainant was inaccurate regarding their meeting from 2013.
However, prosecutors maintained that striking similarities in the accounts of the two men, who were unacquainted with the other, showed they were being honest.
The panel deliberated for 72 hours before delivering the convictions.
His departure prompted a replacement vote in the district in September, which was won by the challenger.
