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Disgraced former MP has sentencing delayed
Sentencing delayed due to dispute over applying current or past laws to Gareth Ward's 2013-2015 sexual abuse convictions, with a new date set for Friday.
- Gareth Ward's sentencing was delayed and rescheduled for Friday after his lawyers made an eleventh-hour bid for extra submissions at Parramatta District Court.
- Tied to the section 21B amendment, lawyers disputed whether the offender should be sentenced under current practices or those when offences occurred, prompting the delay.
- The offences, committed while Gareth Ward held office, involved sexual abuse of two young men, with one victim saying the rape destroyed his trust and will to go on.
- Justice Kara Shead reprimanded lawyers for the regrettable delay, noting both sides requested more time to file submissions and Ward's senior counsel was absent with the court's permission.
- Facing a possible custodial term, defence urged mitigation citing Gareth Ward's legal blindness and fall from grace, while character references including Shelley Hancock wrote `I absolutely affirm that Gareth would not be a danger to anyone in the community at all`.
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources14
Leaning Left10Leaning Right0Center1Last UpdatedBias Distribution91% Left
Bias Distribution
- 91% of the sources lean Left
91% Left
L 91%
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