By Kelly Fuller, ABC
Gareth Ward was found guilty earlier this year of sexually abusing two young men. (File photo) Photo: Supplied / NSW government
Former New South Wales Liberal minister and independent Kiama MP Gareth Ward has been sentenced to five years and nine months in jail for sexually abusing two young men.
In July Ward was found guilty of sexual intercourse without consent and three counts of indecent assault.
The 44-year-old appeared via audiovisual link from a Hunter correctional facility as Judge Kara Shead handed down the sentence in the Parramatta District Court.
The drawn-out case was further delayed when the scheduled sentencing was postponed to allow more legal argument.
The sentence was put off until today after debate about whether Ward should be sentenced under current laws or those in place when the offences occurred in 2013 and 2015.
Ward was given a non-parole period of three years and nine months.
During the sentencing hearing in September, the older of the two victims said the assault left him traumatised and suicidal.
He described years of depression, flashbacks and substance abuse triggered by the attack.
The younger victim said the rape had destroyed his trust, friendships and will to go on.
Ward's lawyers argued his legal blindness and public fall from grace should mitigate his punishment.
His legal team has told the court he intends to appeal the convictions.
Sexual Violence
- NZ Police.
- Victim Support 0800 842 846.
- Rape Crisis: 0800 88 33 00.
- Rape Prevention Education.
- Empowerment Trust.
- HELP (Auckland): 09 623 1700, (Wellington): 04 801 6655.
- Safe to talk: 0800 044 334.
- Tautoko Tāne Male Survivors Aotearoa.
- Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) 022 344 0496.
- ABC
