🔗 Share this article Ex- Down Under Politician Imprisoned for Over Half a Decade for Criminal Acts Gareth Ward was imprisoned for five years and nine months for sexual assaults of two individuals A former lawmaker found guilty of attacking two victims connected through work was given to 69 months in jail. Case Details Gareth Ward, 44, has been in prison since July after the court convicted him of sexually assaulting an individual and attacking another individual, in separate incidents in over two years. The politician acted for the seaside community of the regional area in the New South Wales parliament from the year 2011. He left his position as a Liberal Party minister when accusations came to light in 2021 but refused to quit the legislature and won again in 2023. Judgment Information Judge the judicial figure considered his visual impairment of vision impairment in her sentence and found "no different consequence except for detention is appropriate". Ward, who appeared via remote connection at Parramatta District Court, will complete at least three years and nine months in custody before he can request parole. The court official said the judicial system needs to "send a stern message to potential criminals that criminal acts of this nature will be met with significant consequences". Additional Information The judge added the convicted man had "avoided punishment for a decade and enjoyed a life without a rehabilitation program or consequence for his actions during those years". Post-trial, the individual launched a unsuccessful legal bid to remain in his position and resigned shortly before the members could expel him. His legal team has stated earlier he plans to contest the conviction. Incident Details Ward's extended court case in the NSW District Court heard that he asked a inebriated young adult to his residence in 2013 and indecently assaulted him on multiple occasions, despite the victim's efforts to fight back. Subsequently, he attacked a 24-year-old government employee at his residence after a gathering at parliament. The defendant had claimed the 2015 rape didn't happen, and that the first victim was inaccurate regarding their encounter from the first incident. But the prosecution maintained that significant resemblances in the accounts of the two men, who were unacquainted with the other, proved they were being honest. The panel considered for three days before returning the convictions. The political exit prompted a replacement vote in Kiama in last fall, which was secured by the opposition party.