In a significant ruling, a jury in New South Wales found Gareth Ward guilty of three counts of indecent assault and one count of rape involving two young men. This verdict marks a pivotal moment in the legal and political landscape of the region.
Gareth Ward Convicted: NSW Politician Found Guilty of Sexual Assault
Gareth Ward Convicted: NSW Politician Found Guilty of Sexual Assault
Former Australian politician Gareth Ward has been convicted of multiple sexual offenses, including rape.
Ward, a sitting member of the state parliament, faced serious allegations from two men, aged 18 and 24, who claimed they were assaulted at his residence after meeting him in political contexts between 2013 and 2015. Although he resigned from his ministerial role and the Liberal Party amid the accusations in 2021, he retained his position as the member for Kiama, winning re-election in 2023.
After a lengthy trial that spanned nine weeks, the jury deliberated for three days before reaching their decision. Key evidence revealed that Ward had invited an intoxicated 18-year-old to his home in 2013, where he allegedly assaulted him three times despite efforts to resist. Additionally, in 2015, he was accused of raping a political staffer following an event at parliament.
Ward has contested the allegations, asserting that the 2015 incident did not occur and that the 2013 complainant was likely misremembering the events. However, Crown Prosecutor Monika Knowles highlighted the compelling similarities in the testimonies of the two victims, emphasizing that their accounts were credible due to the consistent details.
"Gareth Ward's conviction sends a strong message about accountability for those in positions of power," Knowles stated. "Similar behavior, similar settings, same man, same conclusion — this is not a coincidence."
Ward is scheduled to reappear in court later this year for sentencing. Previously, the NSW government contemplated expelling him from parliament; however, they received legal counsel warning that such actions might interfere with the ongoing trial.
The case continues to resonate throughout Australia, igniting discussions on political accountability and the protection of victims in the wake of such serious allegations.
After a lengthy trial that spanned nine weeks, the jury deliberated for three days before reaching their decision. Key evidence revealed that Ward had invited an intoxicated 18-year-old to his home in 2013, where he allegedly assaulted him three times despite efforts to resist. Additionally, in 2015, he was accused of raping a political staffer following an event at parliament.
Ward has contested the allegations, asserting that the 2015 incident did not occur and that the 2013 complainant was likely misremembering the events. However, Crown Prosecutor Monika Knowles highlighted the compelling similarities in the testimonies of the two victims, emphasizing that their accounts were credible due to the consistent details.
"Gareth Ward's conviction sends a strong message about accountability for those in positions of power," Knowles stated. "Similar behavior, similar settings, same man, same conclusion — this is not a coincidence."
Ward is scheduled to reappear in court later this year for sentencing. Previously, the NSW government contemplated expelling him from parliament; however, they received legal counsel warning that such actions might interfere with the ongoing trial.
The case continues to resonate throughout Australia, igniting discussions on political accountability and the protection of victims in the wake of such serious allegations.
