🔗 Share this article Ex- Down Under Politician Imprisoned for Above Half a Decade for Criminal Acts Gareth Ward has become sentenced for 69 months for the sexual abuse of two individuals A former Australian politician convicted of sexually abusing two individuals encountered via work has been sentenced to nearly six years in jail. Trial Information Gareth Ward, mid-forties, was in jail since July after a jury found him guilty of sexually assaulting one man and sexually abusing a second person, in multiple events in 2013 then 2015. The defendant acted for the coastal town of the district in the state legislature from 2011. He stepped down as a political party minister when allegations surfaced in 2021 but refused to quit the legislature and returned to office in 2023. Judgment Information Judge the judicial figure took into account the defendant's condition of sight disability in the judgment and concluded "no alternative punishment except for imprisonment would be suitable". Ward, who participated via digital means at Parramatta District Court, will undergo at no less than nearly four years in custody before he can apply for early release. Justice Shead declared the judicial system needs to "issue a clear statement to similar individuals that sexual offendings like these will be met with significant consequences". Additional Information She also said the defendant had "evaded consequences for ten years and lived freely without a programme or penalty for his actions during that period". Post-trial, the politician attempted a unsuccessful appeal attempt to continue in government and resigned moments before the congress could oust him. His legal team has previously said he intends to contest the conviction. Trial Evidence The defendant's nine-week trial in the state court was told that he invited a inebriated 18-year-old man to his property in the first incident and indecently assaulted him on multiple occasions, despite the victim's efforts to resist. Subsequently, he sexually assaulted a young government employee at his property after a function at government offices. Ward had argued the second incident was fabricated, and that the first victim was misremembering their encounter from the first incident. But the prosecution contended that striking similarities in the testimonies of the two men, who had no connection to one another, showed they were accurate in their accounts. Court members debated for multiple days before delivering the convictions. The political exit caused a by-election in Kiama in autumn, which was secured by the opposition party.