Jury to deliberate after Kiama MP’s eight-week trial

A jury who have sat through the lengthy eight-week criminal trial of Kiama MP Gareth Ward are set to deliberate their verdict.

A jury deciding the fate of a former NSW minister accused of assault are expected to begin deliberations on Wednesday morning.

Gareth Ward, the NSW independent MP for Kiama, was charged in March 2022 with three counts of assault with act of indecency, an alternative charge of common assault against an 18-year-old man at Meroo Meadow in 2013, and intercourse without consent against a 24-year-old man in Potts Point in 2015.

Since his arrest three years ago, the 43-year-old has denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty to all counts.

In the Darlinghurst District Court on Tuesday, Judge Kara Shead SC finished her summing up of the case, and reminded the jury the onus of burden to prove each of the counts remains on the prosecution.

Gareth Ward sat in the docks over the past eight weeks as his criminal trial continued. NewsWire / John Appleyard

After eight weeks of evidence, the jury are expected to begin their deliberations on Wednesday morning.

In her closing address, Crown prosecutor Monika Knowles told the jury it is “not a coincidence” that two men came forward with similar allegations.

However, defence barrister David Campbell SC told the jury the crown had not discharged the burden it has in either of the two complainant’s cases.

The barrister urged the jury to find the MP not guilty on all counts.

Mr Ward is alleged of assaulting a man, who had just turned 18 at the time of the alleged assault at Mr Ward’s South Coast home in February 2013.

It is also alleged the MP sexually assaulted another man – who was 24 at the time – at his Potts Point apartment in September 2015.

The 43-year-old was charged by police in March 2022.

Beginning his political career in 2011, Mr Ward was a councillor on the Shoalhaven Council before becoming the Liberal member for Kiama in 2011, a seat he has held since.

He also held the role of NSW Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services for just over two years.

Originally published as Jury to deliberate after Kiama MP’s eight-week trial