Previous Down Under Politician Imprisoned for More Than Five Years for Criminal Acts
One-time Australian politician sentenced of sexually abusing two victims encountered via work has been sentenced to five years and nine months in jail.
Case Details
The former official, mid-forties, has been in custody since July after the court determined his guilt of sexually assaulting one man and sexually abusing another individual, in different occasions in 2013 then 2015.
The politician represented the oceanfront municipality of the regional area in the state legislature from over a decade ago. He resigned as a political party official when accusations came to light in recent years but resisted resigning from parliament and was re-elected in last year.
Sentencing Details
Judge Kara Shead evaluated his visual impairment of vision impairment in the ruling and concluded "no alternative punishment except for incarceration would be suitable".
The convicted individual, who appeared via video-link at the judicial venue, will complete at least three years and nine months in prison before he can apply for early release.
The judge stated the court needs to "deliver a strong warning to potential criminals that sexual offendings such as this will be met with salutary penalties".
Additional Information
Additionally stated Ward had "evaded consequences for ten years and experienced freedom absent a treatment or penalty for his crimes during that time".
Following the verdict, the politician launched a failed court challenge to stay in government and left office moments before the congress could oust him.
Defense attorneys has stated earlier he plans to appeal the conviction.
Case Facts
Ward's extended court case in the state court heard that he invited a drunk teenager to his property in 2013 and attacked him three times, despite the victim's efforts to oppose.
Two years later, he sexually assaulted a mid-twenties office worker at his residence after a gathering at government offices.
He had argued the second incident didn't happen, and that the additional accuser was inaccurate regarding their encounter from 2013.
But the prosecution contended that striking similarities in the statements of the victims, who had no connection to one another, proved they were telling the truth.
Court members considered for 72 hours before delivering the guilty verdicts.
His departure prompted a by-election in the district in last fall, which was claimed by the opposition party.
