🔗 Share this article Ex- Australian Public Figure Imprisoned for Over 60 Months for Sexual Offenses Gareth Ward has become imprisoned for 69 months for the sexual abuse of two men An ex- public official found guilty of attacking two victims encountered via his position has been sentenced to five years and nine months in jail. Trial Information The defendant, forty-four, was in custody since mid-year after judicial panel convicted him of attacking a victim and indecently assaulting another, in multiple events in 2013 then 2015. The defendant served the coastal town of the district in the New South Wales government from the year 2011. He left his position as a Liberal Party cabinet member when the claims surfaced in recent years but resisted resigning from the legislature and was re-elected in 2023. Court Ruling Justice the court official took into account his visual impairment of vision impairment in the judgment and determined "no different consequence other than imprisonment would be suitable". The convicted individual, who appeared via digital means at the judicial venue, will serve at least 45 months in detention before he can seek parole. The court official said the court needs to "send a stern message to similar individuals that criminal acts of this nature will be subject to significant consequences". Additional Information The judge added Ward had "evaded consequences for multiple years and lived freely absent a programme or penalty for his crimes during those years". After his conviction, Ward attempted a failed appeal attempt to remain in parliament and left office just prior to the members could expel him. Representatives has indicated before he plans to appeal the ruling. Trial Evidence Ward's extended court case in the state court was told that he brought a drunk 18-year-old man to his residence in the first incident and indecently assaulted him repeatedly, despite the victim's efforts to oppose. Two years later, he attacked a young government employee at his home after a gathering at the legislature. The defendant had claimed the later assault never occurred, and that the additional accuser was misremembering their meeting from the first incident. However, prosecutors maintained that significant resemblances in the testimonies of the individuals, who had no connection to each other, showed they were accurate in their accounts. The panel considered for three days before announcing the findings of guilt. The political exit prompted a special election in his constituency in autumn, which was won by the opposition party.