Gareth Ward: Disgraced state MP jailed after sex abuse convictions

A disgraced state MP has been escorted behind bars days after he was found guilty of sexually abusing two young men.

Kiama MP Gareth Ward, 44, was found guilty earlier in July by a NSW District Court jury of one sexual intercourse without consent and three indecent assault charges.

On Wednesday, Judge Kara Shead ordered that the politician be imprisoned ahead of sentence.

His barrister Edward Anderson earlier urged the court to keep his client on bail as he would be a target in prison because of his high profile and the sexual nature of the offences.

Judge Shead said protective measures could be put in place if needed.

The judge also declined to extend bail because of Ward’s poor vision as a result of his oculocutaneous albinism.

The 44-year-old invited a drunk 18-year-old man - whom he met a year prior - to his South Coast home in February 2013.

The man told the jury that Ward plied him with drinks before indecently assaulting him three times in one night, despite his attempts to resist.

Two years later, the long-time MP sexually assaulted an intoxicated political staffer after a mid-week event at NSW Parliament House in 2015.

The man, who was 24 at the time but is now in his 30s, said Ward climbed into bed with him, groped his backside and sexually assaulted him despite him repeatedly saying “no”.

On Monday, NSW Premier Chris Minns called on the independent MP to immediately resign, saying it would be “ridiculous” for him to continue serving the state after being found guilty of sexual abuse.

The premier said he had received legal advice that the former Liberal could be expelled from parliament if required.

Ward has yet to be sentenced and still has time to lodge an appeal of his convictions.

Ward has held the Kiama electorate since 2011, winning three elections under the Liberal banner before securing the 2023 poll as an independent.

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