US EditionPublished • loading... • Updated
Disgraced Former Aussie MP Sentenced for Historical Sex Abuse
- On Friday, October 31, 2025, Gareth Ward, former New South Wales Liberal minister and independent Kiama MP, was sentenced to five years and nine months in jail at Parramatta District Court, appearing via video-link from Hunter correctional facility.
- Following a NSW District Court trial, Ward was found guilty of sexual intercourse without consent and three counts of indecent assault from separate incidents years ago at his Meroo Meadow home and inner-city Sydney apartment.
- Victims told the court the assaults caused years of depression and substance abuse, while a 12-person jury sat through a nine-week trial and deliberated nearly three days before verdicts.
- Ward was given a non-parole period of three years and nine months, which will expire on April 29, 2029, and Ward's legal team has told the court it intends to appeal the convictions.
- The sentence was delayed amid debate over current laws versus historic laws, and Judge Kara Shead SC noted Ward's legal blindness but ruled `no other penalty other than imprisonment is appropriate`.
Insights by Ground AI
Podcasts & Opinions
27 Articles
27 Articles
Coverage Details
Total News Sources27
Leaning Left10Leaning Right2Center5Last UpdatedBias Distribution59% Left
Bias Distribution
- 59% of the sources lean Left
59% Left
L 59%
C 29%
12%
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
