Latest news with #MerooMeadow
News.com.au
2 days ago
- General
- News.com.au
‘Respect for you': Email read in court in Kiama MP Gareth Ward's sexual assault trial
A parliamentary associate who alleges Kiama MP Gareth Ward sexually abused him has told a court that he still respects him 'immensely', describing him as an 'incredible local member'. Mr Ward, 43, is facing a four-week criminal trial in the Downing Centre District Court on allegations he sexually abused two young men. 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. Mr Ward arrived in court on Tuesday for the second week of the criminal trial before Judge Kara Shead SC. The complainant who was 24 at the time of the alleged assault took the stand to give evidence for a fourth day. During a cross-examination by defence solicitor David Campbell SC, an email the man sent to Mr Ward in March 2019 was read to the court. In the email the man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, wrote to Mr Ward to express his interest in the hope of securing a parliamentaryrole before flourishing the state independent MP with compliments. 'You know just how committed I am to this … how loyal I am to my boss, and how hard I work … and that I would give it all to make you look good,' the man's email said. The man then wrote in bold type that he would have 'no hard feelings' if Mr Ward could not find a role for him. 'Your friendship means the world to me … and my respect for you is already as high as it can be,' the email read. Mr Campbell put to the man that it was 'hardly a sentence you would use to describe a man who you allege had previously sexually violated you'. 'I disagree … this is me auditioning for a job … sometimes you overcompensate,' the man replied, adding that he had 'embellished' the email. Mr Campbell said the man had been prepared to say something 'false' in the email, referring to his description of their friendship, to which the man agreed but added that he still held professional esteem for Mr Ward. The man told the court that he still respected Mr Ward 'immensely', adding that he is an 'incredible local member'. When he quizzed the man over his conversation with another parliamentary staffer in 2019, Mr Campbell said the man had told the staffer words to the effect that then Premier Gladys Berejiklian had selected a 'rapist', Mr Ward, as the minster for children in her cabinet. The man replied that he didn't recall the conversation, but it would be 'consistent' with what he reported to police. THE ALLEGATIONS The man had earlier told the court that he attended an event on the night of the alleged assault at NSW Parliament House in 2015 before heading back to Mr Ward's apartment. At Mr Ward's apartment, the MP poured the man a drink before allegedly attempting to kiss him on his balcony, to which the political staffer pushed him away and said 'no'. Mr Ward leaned in again a short time later and kissed the man before the 24-year-old said he wanted to go to bed, the court was told. The Crown alleges the man was shown to his room by Mr Ward, who had allegedly stripped down to his boxers. Mr Ward allegedly put an arm over the man and his hands on the man's buttocks before he was told to stop. Without warning, it's alleged Mr Ward digitally penetrated him before allegedly kissing his neck and masturbating. The two maintained a professional relationship for some time after the alleged events, the court was told. The man made a formal statement years later to police, and Mr Ward was formally charged in March 2022. In her opening address last week, Crown prosecutor Monika Knowles alleged that Mr Ward indecently assaulted another man, who had just turned 18, at his home on the South Coast in February 2013. 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.
News.com.au
3 days ago
- General
- News.com.au
‘Endearing' messages read in Kiama MP Gareth Ward's criminal trial
A political staffer who alleges Kiama MP Gareth Ward sexually abused him has told a court that he spent months 'looking over his shoulder' after the alleged assault despite sending him 'endearing' messages. Mr Ward, 43, is facing a four-week criminal trial in the Downing Centre District Court over allegations he sexually abused two young men. 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 each of the five charges. Mr Ward arrived in court on Monday for the second week of the criminal trial before Judge Kara Shead SC. The first complainant, a man who was aged 24 at the time of the alleged assault, again took the stand to give evidence in a cross-examination by defence solicitor David Campbell SC. Mr Campbell asked the man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, about an RSVP to a party in 2016. The man said he 'did not recall' either sending an RSVP or even attending the party. However, Mr Campbell put to the man that it would be 'extraordinary' for him not to remember attending such an event, given how he previously told the court that he felt 'uncomfortable' towards Mr Ward at the time. 'Until today I haven't recalled attending,' the man replied, noting it was almost 10 years ago. The man's memory again came under question when Mr Campbell asked him about further communications with Mr Ward in the months following the alleged assault. A series of Facebook messages were read out in court between the complainant and Mr Ward. In the messages, the man refers to Mr Ward as 'love', along with a smiley face, and asks him how his night was. Mr Campbell said the term 'love' was 'an expression of endearment', which he suggested was not the sort of dialogue one would use when feeling 'uncomfortable'. The man replied that he often referred to others, as well as colleagues, as 'love' or 'dear' and perhaps he was 'overcompensating' at the time. During the time of the messages in the months following the alleged assault the man told the court that he felt a 'little uncomfortable'. 'What do you mean by that?' Mr Campbell asked. 'Having to be alert made me uncomfortable … when you're looking over your shoulder, you often felt uncomfortable,' the man replied. The cross-examination is expected to continue on Monday afternoon. The man had earlier told the court that he attended an event on the night of the alleged assault at NSW Parliament House in 2015 before heading back to Mr Ward's apartment. The man said he had drunk 'three or four glasses of white wine' at the event and was trying to organise a cab ride home when he ran into Mr Ward. The pair had a brief conversation before Mr Ward allegedly invited the man to his office at Parliament House where he poured the staffer another wine. The man told Mr Ward that he had to leave as he lived 'a long way away', to which the MP offered the 24-year-old to stay at his place that night, the court was told. The pair allegedly walked to Mr Ward's apartment in Potts Point, and along the way Mr Ward continued telling the man about 'how bright' his future was, the court was told. Back at Mr Ward's apartment, the MP poured the man another drink before allegedly attempting to kiss him on his balcony, to which the political staffer pushed him away and said 'no'. Mr Ward leaned in again a short time later and kissed the man before the 24-year-old said he wanted to go to bed, the court was told. The Crown alleges the man was shown to his room by Mr Ward, who had allegedly stripped down to his boxers. Mr Ward allegedly put an arm over the man and his hands on the man's buttocks before he was told to stop. Without warning, it's alleged Mr Ward digitally penetrated him before allegedly kissing his neck and masturbating. The two maintained a professional relationship for some time after the alleged events, the court was told. The man made a formal statement years later to police, and Mr Ward was formally charged in March 2022. In her opening address last week, Crown prosecutor Monika Knowles alleged that Mr Ward indecently assaulted another man, who had just turned 18, at his home on the South Coast in February 2013. 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
29-05-2025
- General
- News.com.au
Gareth Ward sexual assault trial: Kiama MP said ‘nice things' about man, court told
A political staffer who alleges Kiama MP Gareth Ward sexually abused him agrees he may have been 'confused' about the route to and from the MP's apartment on the night in question but remembers Mr Ward 'saying nice things' about him on the walk. Mr Ward, 43, is facing a four-week criminal trial in the Downing Centre District Court on allegations he sexually abused two young men. 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. In court on Thursday, the second complainant, who worked as a parliamentary staffer at the time of the alleged acts, was called for a second day to give evidence. The man, who was 24 at the time, had earlier told the court on Wednesday that he attended an event on the night of the alleged assault at NSW Parliament House back in 2015 before heading back to Mr Ward's apartment. A police walk-through of the estimated route from Parliament House in The Domain to Mr Ward's apartment in Potts Point was played for the jury on Thursday. In the video, the complainant shows the police officers what he believes 'to the best' of his memory was the route to and from Mr Ward's apartment as they walked through Potts Point. The man appears confident at a few points in the video as he shows police the route he remembered but at other points he said he was 'uncertain' and doubled-back once or twice. After the video was played, defence lawyer David Campbell SC cross-examined the complainant and questioned him about his recollection of the walk. Mr Campbell said the man told police that when he was first asked he 'just remembered walking across The Domain' but didn't share any further details. The lawyer then asked the man if he 'could well have been confused' about the way they travelled to Mr Ward's apartment, to which he agreed he may have. Mr Campbell asked the man if he was suggesting that they had taken a different route to the apartment than they did the following morning. 'To my recollection … yes,' the man told the court. The man said he was 'quite intoxicated' during the walk home but said he remembered Mr Ward singing his praises about his work. 'You couldn't have been that intoxicated if you remember him saying those things,' Mr Campbell questioned. 'You can usually remember when people say nice things about you,' the man replied. The cross-examination is expected to continue on Thursday afternoon. In court on Wednesday, crown prosecutor Monika Knowles asked the man about the event, to which he said he had drunk 'three or four glasses of white wine' and was trying to organise a cab ride home when he ran into Mr Ward. 'We had a brief conversation then he invited me over (to his office at Parliament House) for another drink … I accepted,' he said. 'He poured me a wine, and I took a seat on his couch.' The man told Mr Ward that he had to leave as he lived 'a long way away', to which the MP offered the 24-year-old to stay at his place that night, the court was told. The pair allegedly walked to Mr Ward's apartment in Potts Point, and along the way Mr Ward continued telling the man about 'how bright' his future was, the court was told Back at Mr Ward's apartment, the MP poured the man another drink before allegedly attempting to kiss him on his balcony, to which the political staffer pushed him away and said 'no'. Mr Ward leaned in again a short time later and kissed the man before the 24-year-old said he wanted to go to bed, the court was told. The Crown alleges the man was shown to his room by Mr Ward, who had allegedly stripped down to his boxers. Mr Ward allegedly put an arm over the man and his hands on the man's buttocks before he was told to stop. Without warning, it's alleged Mr Ward digitally penetrated him before allegedly kissing his neck and masturbating to completion. The 24-year-old told the court that he felt 'a bit down' and 'a little dirty and confused'. The following morning, while walking back to Parliament House, Mr Ward allegedly discussed the 24-year-old's future with him and allegedly said 'if I stick by him he'll take care of me'. The two maintained a professional relationship for some time after the alleged events, the court was told. The man made a formal statement years later to police, and Mr Ward was formally charged in March 2022. In her opening address on Tuesday, Ms Knowles told the court that she alleges Mr Ward indecently assaulted another man, who had just turned 18, at his home on the South Coast in February 2013. 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 several 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. He was re-elected as the MP for Kiama at the most recent state election in 2023. The trial before Judge Kara Shead SC continues.
News.com.au
28-05-2025
- General
- News.com.au
Claims Kiama MP Gareth Ward told man he had a ‘bright future' after alleged sexual assault: court
A political staffer alleges Kiama MP Gareth Ward told him he would 'take care of him' if he 'stuck by him', the morning after the politician allegedly sexually abused him, a court has been told. Mr Ward, 43, arrived at the Downing Centre District Court on Wednesday, for the second day of his criminal trial, wearing a grey suit and an Akubra hat. The state independent 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. In court on Wednesday, the second complainant, who worked as a parliamentary staffer at the time of the alleged acts, was called to give evidence. The man appeared emotional and red in the face as he gave evidence in the criminal trial, and told the court he had attended an event on the night of the alleged assault at NSW Parliament House back in 2015. Crown prosecutor Monika Knowles asked the man about the event, to which the man, who was 24 at the time, said he had drunk 'three or four glasses of white wine', which was 'a lot for him'. The man said he ran into Mr Ward while he was trying to organise a cab ride home. 'We had a brief conversation then he invited me over (to his office at Parliament House) for another drink … I accepted,' he said. 'He poured me a wine, and I took a seat on his couch.' The pair then allegedly had a conversation on the couch, in which Mr Ward told the man he was 'impressed by the work' he was doing and told him he had a 'bright future'. The man told Mr Ward he had to leave as he lived 'a long way away'. 'Then he offered that I could stay at his that night,' the witness said. The pair allegedly walked to Mr Ward's apartment in Potts Point, and along the way Mr Ward continued telling the man about 'how bright' his future was. 'I was starting to feel a bit uncomfortable … he was being a bit too gracious with his kind words about me,' the witness told the court. Back at Mr Ward's apartment, the MP poured the man another drink and the man went onto the balcony. On the balcony, the man alleges Mr Ward leaned in and attempted to kiss him to which the political staffer pushed him away and said 'no'. Mr Ward leaned in again, a short time later and kissed the man, before the 24-year-old said he wanted to go to bed. The crown alleges the man was shown to his room by Mr Ward, who had allegedly stripped down to his boxers, before putting an arm over the man, and 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 felt 'a bit down' and 'a little dirty and confused'. The following morning, while walking back to Parliament House, Mr Ward allegedly discussed the 24-year-old's future with him. 'It was a little quiet at first … at one stage he said if I stick by him he'll take care of me,' he said. The two maintained a professional relationship for some time after the alleged events. In March, 2022, the man made a formal statement to police and Mr Ward was formally charged. In her opening address on Tuesday, Ms Knowles told the court she alleges Mr Ward indecently assaulted another man, who had just turned 18, at his home on the South Coast in February 2013. 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. He was re-elected as the MP for Kiama at the most recent state election in 2023. The trial continues.
