Kiama MP Gareth Ward’s historic sexual assault trial delayed
The high-profile sexual assault trial of Kiama MP Gareth Ward has been delayed four days before it was due to begin.
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The high-profile sexual assault trial of Kiama MP Gareth Ward has been delayed four days before it was due to begin.
The independent MP has denied allegations he sexually abused and indecently assaulted a boy and a man in 2013 and 2015.
The case was mentioned in Sydney Downing Centre on Thursday where the trial was vacated.
The court heard the defence was not in a position to start the trial which was scheduled to begin on Monday.
The Crown opposed the application however Judge William Hunt granted the vacation of the trial.
A new trial date is yet to be set and is expected to take three weeks.
Police allege the incidents took place at Potts Point in 2015 and in Meroo Meadow two years prior.
It is alleged Ward indecently assaulted a 17-year-old boy at Meroo Meadow in February, 2013, and sexually abused a 27-year-old man in Sydney in September, 2015.
Ward has been charged with sexual intercourse without consent, three counts of assault with act of indecency and one count of common assault.
The court previously determined both allegations would run as one trial.
Ward has repeatedly said he looked forward to “proving my innocence”.
He remains on bail and was re-elected as the state member for Kiama in the 2023 election in the same month he formally pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The allegations led to Ward being booted from the Liberal Party room and moving to the crossbench before being suspended from parliament when charges were laid in March, 2022.
The case will be mentioned on April 22 and Ward is excused from attending.
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