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Sexual abuse

NSW MP Gareth Ward Found Guilty of Sexually Assaulting Two Young Men

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Gareth Ward, the 44-year-old independent member for Kiama, has been convicted of indecently assaulting a young man at his Shoalhaven home in 2013 and sexually assaulting a 24-year-old political staffer at his Potts Point apartment in 2015. The verdicts were delivered after a nine-week trial and nearly three days of deliberations by a 12-person jury.

Key Takeaways:

  • Gareth Ward, 44, has been found guilty of indecently assaulting an 18-year-old man at his Shoalhaven home in 2013 three times, and having sexual intercourse without consent with a 24-year-old political staffer at his Potts Point apartment in 2015.
  • The convictions mean Ward is likely to be ineligible to serve in parliament, and his seat will be vacated.
  • Ward had resigned from the Liberal Party in May 2021, and was suspended from parliament after moving to the crossbench in light of the charges, but returned following his re-election as an independent in his South Coast seat in 2023.
  • Ward had pleaded not guilty to all counts, but was found guilty by the jury.
  • The Crown prosecution team led by Monika Knowles presented evidence that Ward had shown a significant power imbalance and emotional influence over the complainants, which made them vulnerable to his advances.
  • The trial highlighted the courage and resilience of the two complainants, who had to overcome significant barriers to come forward with their allegations.
  • The verdict has sent shockwaves through NSW Parliament, with the Minns government calling on Ward to immediately resign and recognized the "strength and courage" of the victims.

Statistics:

  • 9 weeks: The length of the trial
  • 3 days: The amount of time the jury deliberated
  • 44 years: The age of Gale Ward at the time of the conviction
  • 2011: The year Ward was first elected as the member for Kiama
  • 2023: The year Ward was re-elected as an independent in the same seat
  • 11.2 per cent: The swing to Labor in the 2023 election, which was held in Ward's seat

Sources:

  • "State MP Gareth Ward found guilty of sexually assaulting two young men". The Sydney Morning Herald, March 17, 2024 (accessed March 17, 2024)
  • "Gareth Ward 'could be ineligible to serve in parliament' after being found guilty of sex assault charges". ABC News, March 17, 2024 (accessed March 17, 2024)
  • "NSW MP Gareth Ward guilty of sex assaults: 'A complete abuse of power'". The Australian, March 17, 2024 (accessed March 17, 2024)

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