đź”— Share this article Previous Down Under Public Figure Jailed for Above Five Years for Sexual Offenses Gareth Ward has become jailed for nearly six years for sexual assaults of two victims An ex- public official sentenced of sexually abusing two young men encountered via his position received a sentence to five years and nine months in detention. Case Details The defendant, mid-forties, has been in custody since July after judicial panel determined his guilt of attacking one man and sexually abusing another individual, in multiple events in 2013 then 2015. The politician served the oceanfront municipality of the regional area in the NSW parliament from over a decade ago. He stepped down as a political party cabinet member when allegations emerged in 2021 but declined to leave his seat and returned to office in 2023. Judgment Information Judge the court official evaluated his visual impairment of vision impairment in her sentence and found "no alternative punishment except for imprisonment would be suitable". Ward, who participated via remote connection at the courthouse, will serve at least nearly four years in custody before he can seek early release. Justice Shead said the judicial system needs to "issue a clear statement to like-minded offenders that sexual offendings such as this will be faced with significant consequences". Additional Information Additionally stated the defendant had "evaded consequences for multiple years and enjoyed a life free from a treatment or punishment for the offenses during that period". Post-trial, the politician attempted a rejected legal bid to stay in his position and left office just prior to the legislature could expel him. Defense attorneys has stated earlier he aims to challenge the conviction. Trial Evidence The defendant's extended court case in the NSW District Court heard that he invited a drunk young adult to his residence in the first incident and attacked him on multiple occasions, despite the victim's efforts to oppose. In 2015, he sexually assaulted a young government employee at his home after a function at government offices. Ward had claimed the 2015 rape never occurred, and that the additional accuser was confused about their encounter from 2013. The state's attorneys maintained that notable parallels in the testimonies of the individuals, who had no connection to the other, proved they were telling the truth. Court members considered for three days before returning the convictions. The political exit caused a replacement vote in his constituency in autumn, which was claimed by the challenger.