Kiama MP Gareth Ward’s sexual assault trial date to be determined next week
Prominent NSW politician Gareth Ward is one step closer to learning when he will face trial over alleged historic sexual assault offences. Find out more.
Illawarra Star
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Recently re-elected Member for Kiama Gareth Ward is one step closer to learning when he will stand trial over a string of historic sexual assault charges.
Ward and his high-profile legal team appeared in Sydney’s Downing Centre District Court on Monday, six days on from fronting Nowra District Court where he confirmed not guilty pleas to charges of sexual intercourse without consent, three counts of assault with an act of indecency and one count of common assault.
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, last year.
Ward has been on bail since and he has strenuously denied the allegations, including telling the media after his appearance in Nowra District Court he would “prove his innocence”.
“There’s a lot of things I’d like to say about this case, but I am prohibited from saying what I’d like to say,” he said.
“This matter is something that’s been dragging on for the last two years and it has been a really difficult two years, but I’m looking forward to having the opportunity to prove my innocence.”
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.
In Downing Centre District Court on Monday, Judge John Pickering heard from Ward’s defence team as well as the Crown regarding where the trial should take place and if the matter should be severed into separate trials.
Ward was represented by David Campbell, SC.
Mr Campbell, junior barrister Ed Anderson and instructing solicitor Robert Foster were the trio hired by St George Illawarra Dragons forward Jack De Belin after he was hit with multiple sexual assault charges.
De Belin was cleared in May, 2021, after two trials were unable to reach a verdict and the charges were dropped.
The ruling will be handed down next Thursday.
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