Sexual assault trial for Kiama MP Gareth Ward begins

A NSW MP is fighting historic sexual abuse allegations relating to two men, with a court told he invited one over after a Parliament event before allegedly raping him.

Distressing details of how Kiama MP Gareth Ward allegedly sexually abused two men have been heard in court, as the state independent sets out to fight the historic allegations at trial.

The 43-year-old arrived at the Downing Centre District Court on Tuesday, sporting a navy blue suit and an Akubra hat.

Mr Ward 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 his Meroo Meadow home, in Shoalhaven in February 2013, and intercourse without consent against a 24-year-old man at his apartment in Potts Point, in September 2015.

The 43-year-old arrived at the Downing Centre, Sydney on Tuesday. Photo: NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard

A jury for the four-week long trial was empanelled on Tuesday, and crown prosecutor Monika Knowles told the court in her opening address, she alleges Mr Ward indecently assaulted a man, who had just turned 18, at his home on the South Coast in February 2013.

The court was told how Mr Ward had met the alleged victim, three months prior in Bomaderry, where they became friends.

In February, 2013, the first complainant was at a party before Mr Ward allegedly offered for the alleged victim to come over to his house in Meroo Meadow, and offered to pay for his taxi ride.

When he arrived, the 18-year-old realised no one else was at his home and the pair kept drinking at Mr Ward’s house.

At one point, the 18-year-old was laying on the grass when Mr Ward momentarily went inside.

When Mr Ward returned outside the alleged victim pretended to be passed out on the grass, “as a joke”, the crown alleged.

“At this point … without warning the accused slid hand into his shorts and rubbed his buttocks,” she alleged.

The alleged victim said he was in “shock” and he “froze”, before Mr Ward allegedly moved his hand around to the 18-year-old’s scrotum.

Mr Ward was then told the 18-year-old wanted to go to bed, but it’s alleged Mr Ward replied it was “not safe” for him to go to bed alone.

Inside the home, the 18-year-old laid down on his stomach, before Mr Ward allegedly turned off the lights and mounted him, before allegedly massaging his back.

The 18-year-old froze and told the accused to stop and that he wanted to go to sleep, to which Mr Ward allegedly told him to “relax” before eventually stopping the massage and going to sleep next to him, the crown alleged.

Kiama Liberal MP Gareth Ward has been charged with historic sexual abuse charges. Photo: NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard

The two maintained contact on a “social level”, the court was told.

The 18-year-old reported the alleged acts to police in November 2020.

The second complainant, was 24 years old at the time of the alleged sexual assault, in September 2015, the court was told.

Ms Knowles alleged the 24-year-old and Mr Ward had attended an event at NSW Parliament House, before he invited the younger man over to his house, since he lived “far away”.

“He had a few too many drinks and had a long journey ahead of him to go home,” she said.

Mr Ward’s Potts Point apartment was just a short walk from Parliament House, Ms Knowles said.

At the apartment, Mr Ward allegedly poured more drinks for the younger man on the balcony before allegedly attempted to kiss him, to which the alleged victim said no.

Mr Ward then allegedly kissed the 24-year-old again, before he was pushed away and said he wanted to go to bed.

He was shown to his room by Mr Ward, who had allegedly stripped down to his boxers, before putting an arm over the man, before allegedly putting his hands on his buttocks before he was told to stop.

Without warning, its alleged Mr Ward digitally penetrated him anally, before allegedly kissing his neck and masturbating to completion.

The 24-year-old said he was left “sad” and “confused”.

The following morning, while walking back to Parliament House, Mr Ward discussed the 24-year-old’s future with him, and said he would take care of him, the crown alleged.

The two maintained a professional relationship for some time after the alleged events.

In March, 2022, the second complainant made a formal statement to police and Mr Ward was formally charged.

Mr Ward, who remains on conditional bail, has pleaded not guilty to each of the five charges against him.

He was committed for trial in August 2022, however, the trial has been delayed a number of times.

Beginning his political career in 2011, Mr Ward was a councillor on the Shoalhaven Council, before becoming the Liberal Member for Kiama in 2011.

The trial continues.

Originally published as Sexual assault trial for Kiama MP Gareth Ward begins