Lawyers for Gareth Ward, the former New South Wales MP convicted of sexual assault, have argued in court that he should receive a lighter sentence due to his 'enormous fall from grace', including the loss of his political career. Ward, 44, resigned as the independent MP for Kiama in August, hours before parliament was set to expel him.
During a sentencing hearing at Parramatta District Court on Friday, Ward's barrister, David Campbell SC, told Justice Kara Shead that Ward had lost his political career and prospective legal career, and that his standing in the community had been 'shattered'. Campbell argued that Ward was unlikely to reoffend and noted that a doctor had found Ward's albinism, which has left him legally blind, made him 'extremely vulnerable and at risk in an unfamiliar and challenging environment such as custody'.
The crown prosecutor, Monika Knowles, countered that the consequences Ward faced were 'triggered by his own actions', pointing out that Ward had a political career at the time of the offences and 'would have been well aware that that was in jeopardy when he went on to commit those offences'. Ward was found guilty in July of sexually abusing two young men in 2013 and 2015, including three counts of indecent assault and one of sexual intercourse without consent. He is appealing against the convictions.
One of Ward's victims had a statement read to the court, describing the severe mental health, substance abuse, and alcoholism he suffered after the assault. He said the process of reporting and going through the court had caused him distress and put strain on his relationships. He also recounted receiving a voicemail with the sound of two gunshots weeks before the trial, which 'tipped me into acute anxiety about my safety and the safety of my family'. Ward is due to be sentenced at the end of October.
