Gareth Ward Jailed After Conviction on Sexual Abuse Charges
So, in a major development that’s rocking NSW politics, Gareth Ward — the sitting independent MP for Kiama — has officially been jailed after being convicted of multiple serious sexual offences. Just days ago, a jury found Ward guilty of sexually abusing two young men, and now, ahead of his sentencing in September, a judge has ordered that he be taken into custody.
Ward was convicted on three counts of indecent assault and one count of sexual intercourse without consent — all serious charges that strongly point toward a lengthy prison term. Following the guilty verdicts last week, the prosecution immediately pushed to have his bail revoked, arguing that someone in his position shouldn’t be free leading up to sentencing. Ward’s legal team fought back, citing his legal blindness and concerns over his safety in jail, but the judge wasn’t swayed.
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Judge Kara Shead ruled that there are established procedures in place to ensure Ward’s safety in custody, especially considering his high-profile status and disability. As a result, Ward was taken straight from the courtroom to Silverwater Correctional Complex in Sydney, marking a dramatic fall from grace for a once-prominent political figure.
It’s hard to ignore the irony here — back in 2014, Ward had stood in parliament condemning another convicted politician, saying they deserved to “rot in prison.” Now, he finds himself in almost the exact same position, with disturbing details emerging from his own case. According to the jury’s findings, Ward used his political status to engage with and then abuse two young men — one incident dating back to 2013, and another in 2015.
What’s perhaps even more shocking is that despite being in jail, Ward still technically holds his seat in state parliament and continues to receive a taxpayer-funded salary. That’s because, under current laws, a member of parliament can’t be automatically expelled unless their conviction is final — meaning, after all appeals are exhausted. However, the NSW government has said enough is enough. A motion to expel Ward is expected to be introduced when parliament resumes next week.
Public pressure is mounting, especially from both sides of politics, for him to resign voluntarily. Even his own electorate — the people who re-elected him in 2023 despite the charges hanging over him — are now left without proper representation while he’s behind bars.
As it stands, Gareth Ward will remain in custody until at least September 19, when his sentencing is due. He has indicated plans to appeal the verdict, but for now, he’s in jail — no longer just a politician, but a convicted sex offender awaiting his fate.
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