Ex- Australian Public Figure Imprisoned for More Than 60 Months for Criminal Acts
An ex- public official convicted of assaulting two young men encountered via professional activities has been sentenced to five years and nine months in prison.
Case Details
The defendant, forty-four, was in prison since last summer after the court convicted him of raping one man and indecently assaulting another, in multiple events in 2013 then 2015.
Ward acted for the oceanfront municipality of the regional area in the state government from 2011. He stepped down as a political party official when allegations emerged in recent years but resisted resigning from his seat and returned to office in 2023.
Court Ruling
Judge the court official took into account the defendant's condition of legal blindness in the judgment and determined "no other penalty besides incarceration could be considered".
The defendant, who was present via digital means at the judicial venue, will complete at least nearly four years in custody before he can seek early release.
The judge declared the legal system needs to "send a stern message to like-minded offenders that criminal acts such as this will be met with significant consequences".
Additional Information
Additionally stated the defendant had "avoided punishment for ten years and enjoyed a life absent a programme or penalty for his crimes during that period".
Following the verdict, Ward attempted a unsuccessful court challenge to stay in his position and left office moments before the members could oust him.
Defense attorneys has stated earlier he plans to challenge the guilty verdict.
Case Facts
His extended court case in the state court was told that he asked a inebriated 18-year-old man to his property in the first incident and attacked him repeatedly, despite the victim's efforts to resist.
Subsequently, he attacked a mid-twenties government employee at his property after a function at the legislature.
He had claimed the second incident didn't happen, and that the additional accuser was confused about their encounter from the earlier year.
The state's attorneys contended that striking similarities in the testimonies of the two men, who had no connection to the other, demonstrated they were telling the truth.
The panel considered for 72 hours before returning the convictions.
The political exit led to a by-election in his constituency in autumn, which was won by the challenger.
