🔗 Share this article Ex- Down Under Politician Sentenced for Over Half a Decade for Criminal Acts The convicted individual has become jailed for nearly six years for criminal acts of two individuals A former lawmaker convicted of sexually abusing two young men encountered via work was given to 69 months in detention. Case Details The former official, mid-forties, remained in custody since last summer after a jury found him guilty of raping an individual and attacking another, in separate incidents in 2013 and 2015. Ward acted for the oceanfront municipality of the regional area in the NSW legislature from the year 2011. He stepped down as a government official when accusations came to light in 2021 but refused to quit his seat and returned to office in 2023. Judgment Information Judge the judicial figure evaluated the defendant's condition of sight disability in her sentence and concluded "no other penalty other than imprisonment could be considered". The defendant, who appeared via video-link at the courthouse, will serve at least nearly four years in detention before he can apply for early release. The judge said the court needs to "send a stern message to potential criminals that criminal acts such as this will be met with salutary penalties". Additional Information She also said the convicted man had "evaded consequences for ten years and lived freely without a treatment or punishment for the offenses during those years". Following the verdict, Ward attempted a unsuccessful court challenge to continue in parliament and stepped down shortly before the members could remove him. His legal team has previously said he aims to appeal the conviction. Case Facts His lengthy proceedings in the state court heard that he brought a intoxicated young adult to his property in 2013 and indecently assaulted him three times, despite the victim's efforts to resist. Two years later, he raped a young office worker at his home after a gathering at parliament. Ward had argued the 2015 rape was fabricated, and that the first victim was inaccurate regarding their interaction from 2013. The state's attorneys contended that notable parallels in the statements of the individuals, who did not know one another, proved they were telling the truth. A jury deliberated for 72 hours before returning the findings of guilt. The political exit prompted a by-election in Kiama in last fall, which was won by the challenger.