Ex-NSW MP Gareth Ward Sentenced to Five Years and Nine Months for Sexual Abuse of Two Young Men
Former Liberal minister handed significant custodial term after conviction for offences dating back to 2013 and 2015
A former New South Wales parliamentarian has been sentenced to five years and nine months in prison following his conviction for multiple sexual offences involving two young men.
The judgement, delivered by Justice Kara Shead at Parramatta District Court, imposes a non-parole period of three years and nine months, back-dated to late July 2025.
The defendant, aged 44, was found guilty in July this year of one count of sexual intercourse without consent and three counts of indecent assault stemming from separate incidents in 2013 and 2015. He was representing the coastal electorate of Kiama from 2011 until his resignation in August 2025.
The court heard that the first victim, then aged 18, was invited to the former MP’s home in 2013 and indecently assaulted on three occasions despite resistance.
The second offence involved a 24-year-old political staffer in 2015, who was raped in the perpetrator’s home after a parliamentary event.
The judge described the behaviour as “callous and predatory” and said the perpetrator used his position of power to exploit vulnerable individuals.
In mitigation, Justice Shead considered the offender’s legal blindness and lack of prior criminal history.
She nevertheless held that no penalty other than immediate imprisonment was appropriate and rejected the argument that his political downfall constituted extra-curial punishment.
The victims’ impact statements highlighted severe and lasting trauma: one described how his dreams of entering politics were destroyed, while the other recounted frequent flashbacks and substance-dependency issues.
The defendant has indicated he intends to appeal the conviction.
He had already been remanded in custody since July and his seat triggered a by-election won by the Labor Party in September 2025. The sentencing underscores a strong message against the abuse of public office and the exploitation of vulnerable persons.
The judgement, delivered by Justice Kara Shead at Parramatta District Court, imposes a non-parole period of three years and nine months, back-dated to late July 2025.
The defendant, aged 44, was found guilty in July this year of one count of sexual intercourse without consent and three counts of indecent assault stemming from separate incidents in 2013 and 2015. He was representing the coastal electorate of Kiama from 2011 until his resignation in August 2025.
The court heard that the first victim, then aged 18, was invited to the former MP’s home in 2013 and indecently assaulted on three occasions despite resistance.
The second offence involved a 24-year-old political staffer in 2015, who was raped in the perpetrator’s home after a parliamentary event.
The judge described the behaviour as “callous and predatory” and said the perpetrator used his position of power to exploit vulnerable individuals.
In mitigation, Justice Shead considered the offender’s legal blindness and lack of prior criminal history.
She nevertheless held that no penalty other than immediate imprisonment was appropriate and rejected the argument that his political downfall constituted extra-curial punishment.
The victims’ impact statements highlighted severe and lasting trauma: one described how his dreams of entering politics were destroyed, while the other recounted frequent flashbacks and substance-dependency issues.
The defendant has indicated he intends to appeal the conviction.
He had already been remanded in custody since July and his seat triggered a by-election won by the Labor Party in September 2025. The sentencing underscores a strong message against the abuse of public office and the exploitation of vulnerable persons.
AI Disclaimer: An advanced artificial intelligence (AI) system generated the content of this page on its own. This innovative technology conducts extensive research from a variety of reliable sources, performs rigorous fact-checking and verification, cleans up and balances biased or manipulated content, and presents a minimal factual summary that is just enough yet essential for you to function as an informed and educated citizen. Please keep in mind, however, that this system is an evolving technology, and as a result, the article may contain accidental inaccuracies or errors. We urge you to help us improve our site by reporting any inaccuracies you find using the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of this page. Your helpful feedback helps us improve our system and deliver more precise content. When you find an article of interest here, please look for the full and extensive coverage of this topic in traditional news sources, as they are written by professional journalists that we try to support, not replace. We appreciate your understanding and assistance.
