URGENT UPDATE: NSW State MP Gareth Ward has been taken into custody following his conviction for sexual abuse, with his bail application denied by the court. This decision comes just days after Ward was found guilty of sexually assaulting two young men in separate incidents from 2013 and 2015.
During the hearing, Judge Kara Shead stated she was “unpersuaded” that Ward’s disability and public profile would hinder his management in custody. The 44-year-old MP for Kiama, who is legally blind, will face sentencing on September 19, 2023.
Ward’s conviction stems from a nine-week trial, culminating in a jury’s verdict on July 25 on all counts, including sexual intercourse without consent and three counts of indecent assault. The maximum penalty for the rape charge is 14 years in prison.
Throughout the trial, both complainants recounted chilling details of their interactions with Ward, which began in political circles. In one instance, a man testified that Ward offered him a place to stay after a 2015 event at Parliament House, only to assault him after consuming alcohol together.
“You did the best you could,” Ward was heard telling his barrister Ed Anderson after the decision.
The second complainant described a similar scenario, recalling how Ward invited him to his home after a party, where he was assaulted as well. These harrowing accounts were pivotal in the jury’s decision to convict Ward.
Despite facing serious charges and being under investigation since May 2021, Ward was re-elected as an independent in the 2023 elections, managing to hold onto his seat with an 11.2 percent swing against him.
Ward is expected to be expelled from parliament when it resumes next week, as the gravity of his convictions weighs heavily on his political career. His future remains uncertain as he awaits sentencing.
This case has sparked significant public outrage, especially considering Ward’s previous role as NSW Minister for Families, Communities, and Disability Services. One of the complainants reported the assaults to the police after learning of Ward’s appointment to this sensitive position, stating it felt like “a vampire running the blood bank.”
As the situation develops, the political landscape in NSW braces for the impact of Ward’s sentencing and potential expulsion, alongside the broader implications for accountability in public office. Stay tuned for more updates as this story unfolds.
