Gareth Ward: Kiama MP absent as historic sexual assault case begins

Embattled Kiama MP Gareth Ward was absent from Nowra Local Court on Tuesday as proceedings begin into charges of historic sexual violence.

Embattled Kiama MP Gareth Ward was absent from Nowra Local Court on Tuesday as proceedings begin into charges of historic sexual violence.

The 40-year-old former Liberal member was accused in March of three counts of assault with acts of indecency and one count each of sexual intercourse without consent and common assault, according to a police statement.

“Police will allege in court that the man 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,” the statement read.

Magistrate Lisa Viney agreed to have Mr Ward’s case adjourned for six weeks.

Kiama MP Gareth Ward. Picture: Tim Hunter

The Director for Public Prosecutions representative said that the legal body would have to consider whether the case would stay on the South Coast, or be transferred to a Sydney court given the location of a number of the alleged crimes.

Mr Ward’s solicitor, South Coast-based lawyer Robert Foster, was not present for the adjournment and did not answer questions from the media outside court.

He will remain on conditional bail before returning to court on June 24 for charge certification.

Gareth Ward