Sexual assault trial of NSW MP Gareth Ward told of 'emotional' discussion with staffer
A man who has accused New South Wales MP Gareth Ward of sexually assaulting him told a parliamentary staffer years after the alleged rape that the politician had "done something" to him, a court has heard.
During the third week of the trial a witness who cannot be identified for legal reasons told the NSW District Court he visited the alleged victim two years after the alleged incident.
He told the court the man was "very emotional, very distraught" during their discussion.
The court heard the complainant, who was 24 when the alleged sexual assault occurred in Mr Ward's Potts Point apartment in 2015, told the witness that the MP "had done something" to him.
It was not specified exactly what that was.
The court has previously heard allegations that the complainant was digitally penetrated by Mr Ward without his consent after they attended an event at state parliament.
Mr Ward has pleaded not guilty to sexual intercourse without consent.
He has also denied four other charges, including indecent assault, involving a second complainant who was 18 in 2013.
Under questioning from the prosecution the witness said the complainant told him he did not like being in the proximity of Mr Ward.
"This is why he avoided coming to parliament," the witness said.
"I can remember he looked like he had been crying — he looked visibly upset and then when we started talking he got more upset."
The witness said he was surprised with himself that he did not take action after hearing the complainant's allegations.
"I don't know why — it's like I just blocked it out of my mind," he told the court.
The witness said when he was asked to give a statement to police after news of the allegations emerged his memory of the events of that day started to come back.
The trial continues.
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