A former minister has been sentenced to several years in prison for sexually abusing two young men over a decade ago, following a court ruling.

Gareth Ward, the ex-state MP for Kiama, was convicted in July of sexual intercourse without consent and three counts of indecent assault by a NSW District Court jury.

During the sentencing at Parramatta District Court in western Sydney, Judge Kara Shead described Ward’s actions as “deliberate and predatory.”

The victim, who was 24 at the time of the incident, recounted how Ward climbed into his bed, groped him, and sexually assaulted him despite his repeated refusals.

He told the jury that the encounter left him feeling uncomfortable and experiencing a “jolt kind of pain.”

In 2021, after police began investigating allegations of sexual crimes, Ward was dismissed from his role as minister for families, communities, and disability services and was moved to the crossbench.

His personal vote was so significant he was re-elected as an independent during the 2023 election despite the charges hanging over his head.

Ward resigned from his position in August, hours before a parliamentary expulsion vote was due to take place.

In doing so, he narrowly avoided becoming the fifth person expelled from NSW parliament in two centuries.