Latest news with #GarethWard
News.com.au
18 hours ago
- News.com.au
Friend of alleged assault victim tried to retract police statement: court
The friend of a man who alleges Kiama MP Gareth Ward sexually abused him when he was a teenager tried to retract his police statement ahead of the criminal trial claiming some of it 'could've been a dream', a jury has heard. The NSW independent MP 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. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Mr Ward attended the Darlinghurst District Court on Wednesday as his criminal trial before Judge Kara Shead SC continued for its sixth week. The second complainant, a man, who had just turned 18 at the time of the alleged assault at Mr Ward's South Coast home in February 2013, finished giving evidence on Friday. His former friend, a man who cannot be named for legal reasons, gave evidence in court on Wednesday, where he was questioned over an email he allegedly sent to the court ahead of the criminal trial. The court was told the man had emailed the court ahead of the trial claiming some of his statement 'could've been a dream', and that detectives had 'grilled him' over two day back in February 2021. 'I was angry and upset about being dragged into the process,' the man said, and later admitted to the prosecutor the claims in the email were not true. The man was also asked about a social media message he received from the complainant which discussed the alleged incident. The alleged victim told his friend that he was 'young and impressionable' when Mr Ward allegedly assaulted him. The friend however told Crown prosecutor Monika Knowles he was never told 'anything that would even come close to being categorised as an assault'. But Ms Knowles put to the man that his friend had disclosed the incident to him, and that it was something he found 'funny', and that he 'joked' that the complainant was 'gay'. 'No … I don't think I ever made that joke,' the man replied, before later admitting it was perhaps 'possible' he made the joke. The court was earlier told how Mr Ward had met the alleged victim three months prior to the alleged assault and they became friends. On the night in question, the complainant had been at a party in the Shoalhaven area before leaving and getting in contact with Mr Ward, who invited him over to his Meroo Meadow home and offered to pay for his taxi ride. The court was told the then-18-year-old and Mr Ward continued drinking together at his home before the teen went outside and laid on the grass, pretending he had passed out as a 'prank'. The man alleged Mr Ward was trying to get his attention and put both hands on him, then without warning put his hand down his pants and touched his buttocks. He told the court he 'froze' and alleged he remembered Mr Ward's 'heavy breathing' as the politician moved his hand to the then teenager's genital area. The man said he then told Mr Ward that he wanted to go to sleep and the pair went back inside, with the politician allegedly telling him that he should not sleep alone. Mr Ward allegedly directed the man towards the MP's bedroom, where the man laid face down on the bed. The alleged victim told the court that Mr Ward 'mounted' him and sat on his buttocks, then started to massage his back. The man told the court the massage eventually ended and they went to sleep. The man said he and Mr Ward maintained contact on a 'social level' before the alleged acts were reported to police in November 2020. It is also alleged Mr Ward sexually assaulted another man – who was 24 years old at the time – at his Potts Point apartment in September 2015. 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. The trial continues.
News.com.au
2 days ago
- News.com.au
Man who alleges Kiama MP Gareth Ward sexually assaulted him approached media: court
A man who alleges Kiama MP Gareth Ward sexually abused him when he was a teenager approached media because he wanted to 'get the story out', a court has been told. The NSW independent MP 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. He pleaded not guilty to all charges. Mr Ward sat in the docks at the Darlinghurst District Court on Tuesday as his criminal trial before Judge Kara Shead SC continued. The second complainant, a man, who had just turned 18 at the time of the alleged assault at Mr Ward's South Coast home in February 2013, finished giving evidence on Friday. His girlfriend, who cannot be named for legal reasons, told the court on Tuesday that the man told her that Mr Ward had 'touched him inappropriately' and had 'put his hands down his pants'. 'He was very uncertain about how he should go about seeking help … he didn't know if he should contact police, he was worried about the extent to which that would lead to,' she said. 'He discussed talking to the media and keeping himself anonymous just to get some information out.' The woman said the complainant had reached out to a YouTube personality with his story. 'He wanted to get the story out to the media but he didn't necessarily want his name associated, but he wanted the information to get out because he was worried about other people,' she said. However, after discussing the matter with the YouTube personality, the man ultimately decided it was best to go to the police, the woman told the court. 'I remember saying that he would have a better opportunity with the police given they have resources and that if other people had experienced something similar that they could get help as well,' she said. The court was earlier told how Mr Ward had met the alleged victim three months prior to the alleged assault and they became friends. On the night in question, the complainant had been at a party in the Shoalhaven area before leaving and getting in contact with Mr Ward, who invited him over to his Meroo Meadow home and offered to pay for his taxi ride. The court was told the then-18-year-old and Mr Ward continued drinking together at his home before the teen went outside and laid on the grass, pretending he had passed out as a 'prank'. The man alleged Mr Ward was trying to get his attention and put both hands on him, then without warning put his hand down his pants and touched his buttocks. He told the court he 'froze' and alleged he remembered Mr Ward's 'heavy breathing' as the politician moved his hand to the then teenager's genital area. The man said he then told Mr Ward that he wanted to go to sleep and the pair went back inside, with the politician allegedly telling him that he should not sleep alone. Mr Ward allegedly directed the man towards the MP's bedroom, where the man laid face down on the bed. The alleged victim told the court that Mr Ward 'mounted' him and sat on his buttocks, then started to massage his back. The man told the court the massage eventually ended and they went to sleep. The man said he and Mr Ward maintained contact on a 'social level' before the alleged acts were reported to police in November 2020. It is also alleged Mr Ward sexually assaulted another man – who was 24 years old at the time – at his Potts Point apartment in September 2015. 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. The trial before a 15-person jury continues.
Perth Now
2 days ago
- Perth Now
Alleged MP assault victim went to media: court
A man who alleges Kiama MP Gareth Ward sexually abused him when he was a teenager approached media because he wanted to 'get the story out', a court has been told. The NSW independent MP 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. He pleaded not guilty to all charges. Mr Ward sat in the docks at the Darlinghurst District Court on Tuesday as his criminal trial before Judge Kara Shead SC continued. Member for Kiama Gareth Ward has pleaded not guilty to sexual assault. Christian Gilles / NewsWire Credit: News Corp Australia The second complainant, a man, who had just turned 18 at the time of the alleged assault at Mr Ward's South Coast home in February 2013, finished giving evidence on Friday. His girlfriend, who cannot be named for legal reasons, told the court on Tuesday that the man told her that Mr Ward had 'touched him inappropriately' and had 'put his hands down his pants'. 'He was very uncertain about how he should go about seeking help … he didn't know if he should contact police, he was worried about the extent to which that would lead to,' she said. 'He discussed talking to the media and keeping himself anonymous just to get some information out.' The woman said the complainant had reached out to a YouTube personality with his story. 'He wanted to get the story out to the media but he didn't necessarily want his name associated, but he wanted the information to get out because he was worried about other people,' she said. However, after discussing the matter with the YouTube personality, the man ultimately decided it was best to go to the police, the woman told the court. 'I remember saying that he would have a better opportunity with the police given they have resources and that if other people had experienced something similar that they could get help as well,' she said. The court was earlier told how Mr Ward had met the alleged victim three months prior to the alleged assault and they became friends. On the night in question, the complainant had been at a party in the Shoalhaven area before leaving and getting in contact with Mr Ward, who invited him over to his Meroo Meadow home and offered to pay for his taxi ride. Mr Ward has been the Liberal member for Kiama since 2011. NewsWire / John Appleyard Credit: News Corp Australia The court was told the then-18-year-old and Mr Ward continued drinking together at his home before the teen went outside and laid on the grass, pretending he had passed out as a 'prank'. The man alleged Mr Ward was trying to get his attention and put both hands on him, then without warning put his hand down his pants and touched his buttocks. He told the court he 'froze' and alleged he remembered Mr Ward's 'heavy breathing' as the politician moved his hand to the then teenager's genital area. The man said he then told Mr Ward that he wanted to go to sleep and the pair went back inside, with the politician allegedly telling him that he should not sleep alone. Mr Ward allegedly directed the man towards the MP's bedroom, where the man laid face down on the bed. The alleged victim told the court that Mr Ward 'mounted' him and sat on his buttocks, then started to massage his back. The man told the court the massage eventually ended and they went to sleep. The man said he and Mr Ward maintained contact on a 'social level' before the alleged acts were reported to police in November 2020. It is also alleged Mr Ward sexually assaulted another man – who was 24 years old at the time – at his Potts Point apartment in September 2015. 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. The trial before a 15-person jury continues. How to report sexual assault
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Australian politician likened to 'vampire' after alleged sex assault
A state MP's alleged sexual abuse victim was spurred to action after learning the politician had been appointed as families minister, which he likened to a vampire running a blood bank. Kiama MP Gareth Ward, 44, is on trial in the NSW District Court after pleading not guilty to sexual intercourse without consent and indecent assault charges. He is accused of inviting a drunk 18-year-old man - who was 17 when they met - to his South Coast home in February 2013. The man told the jury Ward plied him with drinks before indecently assaulting him three times in one night. He said he had been prompted to report the assaults to police in 2020 after he realised Ward had been appointed the NSW minister for families. 'I felt basically that a vampire was running the blood bank and that I had a responsibility that I needed to get it on the record,' the complainant said. He told the jury he was 'very distressed' by Ward's ministerial role and found it 'very inappropriate'. But the complainant said he was also scared of Ward's power and feared there could be 'significant consequences' if he spoke out. The jury heard his decision came years after he confided in a friend about the alleged assaults, only to be told he should have expected it when he went to Ward's house. '(The friend) said something to the effect of 'that was obviously going to happen' and … I must be gay for wanting to go there,' the complainant recalled. He told the jury he thought the incident was probably his fault so he decided he needed to put it aside, pretend it never happened, and 'just go on with being Gareth's bro.' The alleged assault was sparked when the 18-year-old - who had been drinking and was in a 'jocular mood' - decided to play a prank on Ward by pretending to be passed out. He said Ward tried to wake him up before sliding his hands into the teen's shorts, and touching his buttocks and scrotum. 'The heavy breath and the (feeling of) skin on skin are the two things that have stuck with me about that moment,' the complainant said during his emotional testimony. 'I felt like I shrivelled up inside myself. It was the most awkward feeling ever.' Later, he said he had been lying facedown on the bed when Ward 'mounted' him without his permission and massaged his lower back. Despite asking Ward to get off and stop, the complainant said the MP continued while explaining he had masseur training. Upon reflection, he believes Ward's unwelcome touching contributed to his subsequent drug and alcohol abuse issues. Ward is also accused of sexually assaulting a drunk political staffer after a NSW Parliament House event in 2015. The man, who was 24 at the time but is now in his 30s, said Ward climbed into bed with him, groped his backside and sexually assaulted him despite him repeatedly saying 'no'. Ward was charged in 2022 over the claims, which he denies. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
The Guardian
25-06-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
NSW MP Gareth Ward likened to ‘vampire running a blood bank' by alleged sexual assault victim, court hears
A court has heard a New South Wales state MP's alleged sexual abuse victim was spurred to action after learning the politician had been appointed as families minister, which he likened to a vampire running a blood bank. The Kiama MP, Gareth Ward, 44, is on trial in the NSW district court after pleading not guilty to sexual intercourse without consent and indecent assault charges. He is accused of inviting a drunk 18-year-old man – who was 17 when they met – to his south coast home in February 2013. The man told the jury Ward plied him with drinks before indecently assaulting him three times in one night. He said he had been prompted to report the assaults to police in 2020 after he realised Ward had been appointed the NSW minister for families. 'I felt basically that a vampire was running the blood bank and that I had a responsibility that I needed to get it on the record,' the complainant said. He told the jury he was 'very distressed' by Ward's ministerial role and found it 'very inappropriate'. But the complainant said he was also scared of Ward's power and feared there could be 'significant consequences' if he spoke out. Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email The jury heard his decision came years after he confided in a friend about the alleged assaults, only to be told he should have expected it when he went to Ward's house. '[The friend] said something to the effect of 'that was obviously going to happen' and … I must be gay for wanting to go there,' the complainant recalled. He told the jury he thought the incident was probably his fault so he decided he needed to put it aside, pretend it never happened, and 'just go on with being Gareth's bro'. The alleged assault was sparked when the 18-year-old – who had been drinking and was in a 'jocular mood' – decided to play a prank on Ward by pretending to be passed out. He alleges Ward tried to wake him up before sliding his hands into the teen's shorts, and touching his buttocks and scrotum. Sign up to Breaking News Australia Get the most important news as it breaks after newsletter promotion 'The heavy breath and the [feeling of] skin on skin are the two things that have stuck with me about that moment,' the complainant said during his emotional testimony. 'I felt like I shrivelled up inside myself. It was the most awkward feeling ever.' Later, he said he had been lying facedown on the bed when Ward allegedly 'mounted' him without his permission and massaged his lower back. Despite asking Ward to get off and stop, the complainant alleged the MP continued while explaining he had masseur training. Upon reflection, he said he believed Ward's unwelcome touching contributed to his subsequent drug and alcohol abuse issues. Ward is also accused of sexually assaulting a drunk political staffer after a NSW Parliament House event in 2015. The man, who was 24 at the time but is now in his 30s, alleged Ward climbed into bed with him, groped his backside and sexually assaulted him despite him repeatedly saying 'no'. Ward was charged in 2022 over the claims, which he denies.
