Suspended Kiama MP Gareth Ward on the hustings as sex assault case heard for first time

The suspended MP at the centre of assault and sexual abuse charges spent Tuesday meeting flood-affected farmers in his electorate as his case was in court for the first time.

The suspended MP at the centre of assault and sexual abuse charges spent the morning meeting flood-affected farmers in his electorate as his case fronted court for the first time.

Although not legally required, it was anticipated that Kiama MP Gareth Ward would show up for the first mention of his case at Nowra Local Court on Tuesday, but he was nowhere to be seen as the matter was adjourned until next month.

The MP, who has been active on the hustings in his local electorate since being suspended from parliament, instead spent the morning in Berry meeting residents impacted by floods earlier this year.

The Kiama MP defiantly posted on his social media he was meeting with constituents on the same morning his case was mentioned.

“Inspecting flood impacted properties across our community today,” he posted.

Kiama MP Gareth Ward inspects flood-impacted properties across his community on Tuesday. Picture: Twitter

“There is still so much that needs to be done and I’m doing my utmost to help all those who need assistance.”

It also appeared no one was home at Mr Ward’s Meroo Meadow residence when The Telegraph attended following the mention.

Gareth Ward was not required to turn up to court on Tuesday.

He was represented at court by lawyer Robert Foster, who previously spearheaded NRL star Jack De Belin’s rape case in which the Director of Public Prosecution dropped the matter after two hung juries.

Mr Foster later confirmed to The Telegraph that Mr Ward had been advised “it was unnecessary for him to attend court today” because “the mention was procedural in nature and his attendance was not requested by the court”.

“On the basis of our advice that Mr Ward not attend Court on this occasion, Mr Ward proceeded to undertake appointments in his electorate based on requests for meetings with him by his constituents,” Mr Foster said.

Mr Ward was charged in March with three counts of assault with act of indecency, and one count each of common assault and sexual intercourse without consent.

The charges relate to two alleged incidents involving a 27-year-old man in Sydney 2015, and a 17-year-old boy in Meroo Meadow in 2013.

Mr Ward has previously strongly denied the allegations and indicated before facing court he would fight the charges.

“I am innocent and I intend to prove it,” he said in an email to constituents after being charged.

The court mention comes a year after Mr Ward moved to the crossbench and stepped aside from the front bench, where he served as families and community services Minister, after revealing he was the MP at the centre of a police investigation into sexual assault allegations.

He was suspended from parliament following charges being laid in March, but has continued his local work on the hustings as an MP.

The matter will return to Nowra Local Court on June 24 with the MP to remain on bail.