Former Kiama MP and convicted rapist Gareth Ward will once again have to wait to learn his fate over historic sexual abuse crimes, after the court hit a fresh delay.
The MP has spent over three months behind bars after he was taken into custody on remand in July following a conviction of historic sexual abuse crimes.
Following a lengthy trial in the Darlinghurst District Court he was found guilty by a jury of three counts of indecent assault and a fourth count of intercourse without consent.
The guilty verdicts relate to acts against two young men – an 18-year-old at Meroo Meadow in 2013 and a 24-year-old man in Potts Point in 2015 – and sparked calls for the independent south coast MP to resign from parliament.
Ward appeared again via video link from custody before Judge Kara Shead SC in Parramatta District Court on Wednesday afternoon to learn his sentence for the crimes.
However, the court was hit with a fresh snag, with the sentencing instead adjourned to Friday morning.
Judge Shead was told by Ward’s solicitor that an application applied to his sentencing, but that he was “not in a position” to argue it on Wednesday.
This was opposed by Crown prosecutor Monika Knowles.
The application was under Section 21B of the Crimes Sentencing Procedure Act 1999 in NSW, which requires courts to sentence offenders based on the sentencing patterns and practices at the time of sentencing.
While Judge Shead agreed time would be needed in order for the parties to consider their positions, she said it was “most regrettable” that the delay had arisen.
“Arrangements have been made which are considerable for this judgment,” she said.
“The victims are no doubt, experiencing a great deal of frustration.”
She also noted the “significant inconvenience to the media”.
Judge Shead said submissions need to be filed by 2pm on Thursday, and the sentencing will now instead take place on Friday morning.
For the charges, Ward is facing a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment for indecent assault, and 14 years imprisonment for sexual intercourse without consent.
Beginning his political career in 2011, Mr Ward became a Liberal member for Kiama in 2011, a seat he held until his guilty verdict.
Ward later resigned in August just hours before a motion to expel him was expected to go before the Legislative Assembly.
The motion came after a challenge by Ward’s lawyers to the Court of Appeal failed.
Historical sexual abuse
The court was told during Ward’s lengthy trial at the Darlinghurst District Court that in 2013 he had invited the then 18-year-old to his Meroo Meadow him, where he “encouraged” the young man to drink.
On the grass outside, put both hands on him, then without warning put his hand down the man’s pants and touched his buttocks.
The man says he “froze” as the politician moved his hand to the then teenager’s genital area.
The pair then went inside, with Ward directing the man towards his bedroom, telling him it wasn’t safe to sleep alone.
The man then laid face down on the bed, before Ward “mounted” him and sat on his buttocks, then started to massage his back, the victim told the court.
Two years later, in 2015, Ward and a political staffer, had attended an event at NSW Parliament House before heading back to Ward’s Potts Point apartment.
There, Ward climbed into bed with the man and put his hands on the young man’s buttocks, and sexually assaulted him despite him repeatedly being asked to stop.
Ward’s last-minute resignation triggered a contentious by-election in Kiama in September, with Labor claiming victory.
Meanwhile, Ward’s house in Meroo Meadows, north of Bomaderry, remains for sale and currently sits empty.
