Embattled state MP Gareth Ward has been found guilty of sexually assaulting two young men he met through his position in politics after inviting them to his home following drunken nights out.
The 44-year-old held his hand over his mouth, staring intently at the jury as the verdicts were read out.
Gareth Ward arriving at court on Friday as the jury reached a verdict.Credit: Dylan Coker
After a nine-week trial and three days of deliberations, a 12-person jury found the independent Kiama MP indecently assaulted an 18-year-old man at his Shoalhaven home on the NSW South Coast in 2013 three times, and had sexual intercourse without consent with a 24-year-old political staffer at his Potts Point apartment in 2015.
Ward pleaded not guilty to all counts.
When the first accusations came to light, Ward was minister for families, communities and disability services during Gladys Berejiklian’s second term as premier.
He resigned from the Liberal Party in May 2021. He was suspended from parliament after moving to the crossbench in light of the charges, but returned following his re-election as an independent in his South Coast seat in 2023.
More to come.
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