Former New South Wales Liberal minister and independent Kiama MP Gareth Ward has been sentenced to five years and nine months in jail for sexually abusing two young men.<\/p>\n
In July Ward was found guilty of sexual intercourse without consent and three counts of indecent assault.<\/p>\n
Sexual assault\u00a0support lines:<\/p>\n
The 44-year-old appeared via audiovisual link from a Hunter correctional facility as Judge Kara Shead handed down the sentence in the Parramatta District Court.<\/p>\n
The drawn-out case was further delayed when the scheduled sentencing was postponed to allow more legal argument.<\/p>\n
The sentence was put off until today after debate about whether Ward should be sentenced under current laws or those in place when the offences occurred in 2013 and 2015.<\/p>\n
Ward was given a non-parole period of three years and nine months.<\/p>\n
If you or anyone you know needs help:<\/p>\n
During the sentencing hearing in September, the older of the two victims said the assault left him traumatised and suicidal.<\/p>\n
He described years of depression, flashbacks and substance abuse triggered by the attack.<\/p>\n
The younger victim said the rape had destroyed his trust, friendships and will to go on.<\/p>\n
Ward’s lawyers argued his legal blindness and public fall from grace should mitigate his punishment.<\/p>\n
His legal team has told the court he intends to appeal the convictions.<\/p>\n
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