Disgraced former NSW independent MP Gareth Ward will once again face court on Friday after being found guilty of sexually assaulting two young men.
The Kiama MP was taken into custody on remand in July following a jury verdict finding him guilty of three counts of indecent assault and a fourth count of intercourse without consent.
Nearly two months later, Ward is expected to appear before Judge Kara Shead SC at Parramatta District Court on Friday, where sentencing submissions will be heard from both parties.
### Details of the Convictions
Ward was convicted of assaulting two young men: an 18-year-old at Meroo Meadow in 2013 and a 24-year-old man in Potts Point in 2015. These convictions sparked widespread calls for the independent south coast MP to resign from parliament.
### Political Career and Resignation
Beginning his political career in 2011, Ward served as the Liberal member for Kiama until his guilty verdict. In August this year, he resigned just hours before a motion to expel him was set to be brought before the Legislative Assembly. The motion followed a failed challenge by Ward’s lawyers at the Court of Appeal.
Following the verdict, Ward issued a statement thanking the community for their ongoing support. “I am absolutely shattered with the result of the trial and have taken the opportunity over the last few days to spend time with those I love following the verdict,” he said at the time.
### The Allegations and Trial
During Ward’s lengthy trial at Darlinghurst District Court, it was revealed that he and one of the complainants, a political staffer, had attended an event at NSW Parliament House in 2015 before returning to Ward’s apartment.
According to the Crown, Ward poured the man a drink and attempted to kiss him on his balcony. When the political staffer pushed him away and refused, Ward persisted and kissed him again. The 24-year-old said he wanted to go to bed, and was shown to his room by Ward, who had stripped down to his boxers.
The Crown alleged that Ward put an arm around the man, touched his buttocks, and, despite being told to stop, digitally penetrated him before kissing his neck and masturbating.
Ward had met the second victim three months prior to the assault and they had become friends. On the night of the incident, the then 18-year-old had left a party in the Shoalhaven area and contacted Ward, who invited him to his Meroo Meadow home and offered to pay for his taxi ride.
The court was told both continued drinking, before the teenager went outs
https://www.perthnow.com.au/news/crime/disgraced-former-mp-gareth-ward-returns-to-court-c-20069187
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