An ex-families minister convicted of rape will make his case for leniency as a judge prepares to seal his fate.
Gareth Ward’s case will return to the NSW District Court for a sentencing hearing after the former Kiama MP sexually assaulted an intoxicated political staffer in 2015 and sexually abused a drunken 18-year-old in 2013.
The 44-year-old has been behind bars since July, days after a jury convicted the then-sitting MP following trial.
He narrowly dodged expulsion from the state parliament by announcing his resignation from jail an hour before a vote.
His lawyers will today lay out Ward’s personal circumstances and other mitigating factors as Judge Kara Shead considers his sentence.
The most serious charge against Ward carries a maximum 14-year jail term.
The former families minister had denied the allegations against him, before a jury found him guilty of sexual intercourse without consent and three indecent assault charges.
His lawyer had previously argued Ward, who is legally blind, would be a target in prison because of his high profile and sexual offences.
Ward was found to have invited a drunk 18-year-old man to his South Coast home in February 2013.
The man told the jury Ward plied him with drinks before indecently assaulting him three times in one night, despite his attempts to resist.
Two years later, the long-time MP sexually assaulted an intoxicated political staffer after a mid-week event at NSW parliament house.
The man, who was 24 at the time but is now in his 30s, said Ward climbed into bed with him, groped his backside and sexually assaulted him despite him repeatedly saying “no”.
Kiama went to a by-election on Saturday, where Labor candidate Katelin McInerney triumphed over 12 other candidates.
Ward won the seat in 2011 as a Liberal before moving to the crossbench in 2021 when charges were laid.
His personal vote was so significant he was re-elected as an independent during the 2023 election despite being suspended from parliament.
