Former NSW MP Receives Prison Sentence for Sexual Assault
Gareth Ward, a former Member of Parliament for New South Wales (NSW), Australia, has been sentenced to five years and nine months in prison for sexual assault offenses. The sentencing took place on Friday, October 31, 2025, at the Parramatta District Court. Ward, 44, appeared via video link from Cessnock prison, where he had been held since his conviction in July.
Details of the Convictions
Ward was found guilty in July 2025 of three counts of indecent assault and one count of sexual intercourse without consent. These charges stemmed from separate incidents involving two young men, aged 18 and 24 at the time, which occurred in 2013 and 2015, respectively. One of the victims was a political staffer. The trial, which lasted nine weeks, heard testimonies detailing how Ward had invited the men to his home and sexually abused them.
Sentencing Remarks and Parole Eligibility
Judge Kara Shead presided over the sentencing, imposing a maximum term of five years and nine months with a non-parole period of three years and nine months. The sentence has been backdated to late July 2025, meaning Ward could be eligible for parole in April 2029. In her remarks, Judge Shead described Ward's behavior as 'callous and predatory manner' and noted his 'moral culpability was high'. She highlighted that Ward was aware one victim had voiced non-consent but 'continued with the sexual intercourse until he achieved sexual satisfaction'. The judge dismissed arguments from Ward's legal team that his 'enormous fall from grace' or the extensive media scrutiny should mitigate his sentence, stating these were 'inevitable' consequences of his actions. She also acknowledged that Ward's legal blindness would make his time in custody more onerous.
Political Career and Resignation
Gareth Ward represented the seat of Kiama in the NSW Legislative Assembly from 2011 to 2025. He served as the Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services from 2019 to 2021. Accusations against him first emerged in 2021, leading to his resignation from the Liberal Party. He was re-elected as an independent in 2023. Following his conviction in July 2025, Ward resigned from parliament on August 8, 2025, just hours before a motion to expel him was to be put to a vote. Ward's legal team has indicated an intention to appeal the convictions.
5 Comments
Bermudez
Still feels like a slap on the wrist for someone with his power and position.
Habibi
Holding powerful individuals accountable is crucial for public trust. While the sentence is a step in the right direction, many will question if it truly reflects the profound betrayal of trust and harm caused.
ZmeeLove
His 'fall from grace' is irrelevant. The focus should be on the victims, not him.
Coccinella
It's good to see justice served and a perpetrator held accountable, but the length of the non-parole period still feels inadequate given the severity of the offenses.
Muchacho
The judge's remarks about his 'callous and predatory manner' are spot on, yet the mention of his legal blindness potentially making custody harder feels like a subtle attempt at mitigation that doesn't sit right.