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News.com.au
21-07-2025
- Politics
- News.com.au
Kiama MP Gareth Ward's criminal trial told of ‘unreliability' in closing address
A jury who have sat through the lengthy criminal trial of Kiama MP Gareth Ward have been told a man who alleges the MP sexually abused him has a 'certain unreliability'. Mr Ward, a 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. Since his arrest three years ago, the 43-year-old has denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty to all counts. In the Darlinghurst District Court on Monday, defence barrister David Campbell SC continued his closing address, telling the court that the first complainant, a parliamentary staffer who was 24 at the time of the alleged incident, has a 'certain unreliability' when it comes to his memory. In evidence, the man was earlier asked about which particular event he was attending at Parliament House on the night in question, to which he said he couldn't recall 'exactly' but gave details as to which event he believed it was. 'I believed it was that event,' the man said. 'Do you think it, do you believe it or do you know it … what's the position?' Mr Campbell replied, to which the man stated he 'believes it'. Mr Campbell told the jury that what the man couldn't do was say he 'knows it'. 'He (the complainant) said that sometimes memories can meld together, particularly given the amount of time that has passed,' he said. 'Due to that corrosive effect on the memory, there must be a certain unreliability of what (name redacted) is now suggesting to you the jury.' Mr Campbell went on to thank the jury for their patience over the past eight weeks. 'This is the last chance we have to say anything to you on behalf of Mr Ward … and there may well be bits we haven't covered,' he said. 'Our submission to you is clearly this: The Crown has simply not discharged the burden it has in either of those two complainants' cases.' The barrister urged the jury to find the MP not guilty on all counts. Mr Ward is alleged to have assaulted a man, who had just turned 18 at the time, at the MP's South Coast home in February 2013. It's 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.
News.com.au
18-07-2025
- Politics
- News.com.au
Men scared to accuse ‘powerful' MP Gareth Ward of sexual assault: court
A jury who have sat through the lengthy criminal trial of Kiama MP Gareth Ward have been invited to convict the 'powerful' politician on allegations he sexually abused two young men. Mr Ward, a 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. Since his arrest three years ago, the 43-year-old has denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty to all counts. In Darlinghurst District Court on Friday, Crown prosecutor Monika Knowles continued her closing submissions and told the jury the two men had explained 'a number of reasons' as to why they did not complain about the allegations straight away. Both men gave evidence that the accused was a 'powerful' person and they were scared about what would happen if they came forward. The first complainant, a man who was 24 at the time of the alleged assault, said he took some time to come forward with the allegations as he was 'scared for his job', Ms Knowles reminded the jury. He did, however, allegedly mention to another parliamentary staffer words to the effect that then premier Gladys Berejiklian had selected a 'rapist', Mr Ward, as the minister for children in her cabinet in 2019. Meanwhile, the second complainant, a man who had just turned 18 at the time of the alleged assault, 'wrestled with going to police' because Mr Ward was 'a well-connected person', Ms Knowles told the court. 'There was an apprehension about going to police or media and it was because the accused was a powerful person … the accused was in a powerful role locally,' Ms Knowles said. Ms Knowles told the jury that either the second complainant was assaulted at Mr Ward's Potts Point apartment or he is 'the best guesser of all time'. She said if the alleged assault didn't happen, then the man had 'randomly but correctly guessed' details about Mr Ward's Potts Point apartment, including the building number, the view from the balcony and the specific bedroom he slept in. 'The Crown says he didn't guess any of these things, he knew them because they happened,' she said. 'After taking everything into account you would be satisfied of the charges beyond reasonable doubt. 'It's by no sheer chance or coincidence … I invite you to convict.' Mr Ward allegedly assaulted the man who had just turned 18 at his South Coast home in February 2013. It is also alleged the MP sexually assaulted the man who was 24 years old at the time at Mr Ward's 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 13-person jury continues.
News.com.au
17-07-2025
- News.com.au
Gareth Ward's sexual abuse trial told of key similarities in evidence
Two young men who accused Kiama MP Gareth Ward of sexual abuse are 'strangers' living 'separate lives', yet both have come forward with allegations that bear 'remarkable similarities', a court has been told. Mr Ward, a 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. Since his arrest three years ago, the 43-year-old has denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty to all counts. In Darlinghurst District Court on Thursday, Crown prosecutor Monika Knowles began her closing submissions and told the jury that it was is 'not a coincidence' that two men came forward with similar allegations. 'These are two young men … strangers to each other living in separate cities hours apart from each other and living separate lives, yet both have stepped forward with allegations that bear remarkable similarities,' she said. Some of these similarities, Ms Knowles explained, included both men describing their nature as 'very unequal' in terms of the power dynamic with Mr Ward. The accused was 'very senior' to the men, she said, with one of the young men 'barely out of high school' when he met Mr Ward, who was 'like a local celebrity' to him. Other similarities suggested by the Crown included both alleged assaults taking place at Mr Ward's home – one in Potts Point and the other at Meroo Meadow – and both men said they were intoxicated when they were invited to his home. 'Both say that when they arrived at the accused's home they were quite intoxicated and they were given further alcohol … and you could say they were encouraged to drink,' Ms Knowles said. No one else was home at the time of both alleged assaults, she told the court, and both men were lying down when Mr Ward allegedly initiated the acts. 'You might think what happened to the men did not happen by random chance or just dumb luck,' Ms Knowles said. 'This is not a coincidence.' The Crown suggested the evidence demonstrated that Mr Ward had a tendency to have a sexual interest in young men and to act upon this interest by committing sexual acts against them. The allegations against Mr Ward were first reported to police in November 2020. He is alleged to have assaulted a man, who had just turned 18, at Mr Ward's South Coast home in February 2013. It is also alleged the MP 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 13-person jury continues.
ABC News
10-07-2025
- ABC News
Defence accuses ex-detective of bungled investigation into Gareth Ward assault allegations
The former detective who led a sexual assault investigation into New South Wales MP Gareth Ward has come under fire from Mr Ward's counsel for breaching a court order after arriving hours late to give evidence despite being under subpoena. In March 2022 Mr Ward was charged with three counts of assault with act of indecency – an alternative charge of common assault – involving an 18-year-old man at Meroo Meadow in 2013. He was also charged with one count of sexual intercourse without consent relating to a 24-year-old man in Potts Point in 2015. Mr Ward has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Former detective senior constable Cameron Bignell failed to return to the witness box by the required 10am start time on Thursday. When the court resumed after 2pm he admitted, under cross-examination, to breaching his subpoena by arriving hours late. "I had commitments I could not get out of … and I advised I would be a little bit late," Mr Bignell told the court. Pressed on why he had not sought permission from the judge the previous day, he said he believed an officer would "handle it" after he explained the situation. Defence barrister David Campbell SC suggested Mr Bignell had shown disregard for his obligations and disrespect towards the court. "You defied that order, didn't you?" Mr Campbell asked. "I did, yes," Mr Bignell replied, before adding, "it certainly was not my intention to be disrespectful." The former detective said he had been unwell and had intended to get a medical certificate, but did not follow through after deciding to return to court. Mr Campbell accused the former officer of believing he could choose when to attend. "This is part of you, isn't it — that you do what you want to do, rather than what you should," Mr Campbell said. "Absolutely not," Mr Bignell replied. The defence said that same mindset had marked his handling of the case, which Mr Bignell also rejected. At one point, Bignell acknowledged telling police he was "happy to get arrested" but said he could not avoid his earlier commitments. He later described that as "an off-the-cuff comment". Mr Bignell, who led the investigation from May 2021 until his resignation from NSW Police in 2024, was called to give evidence by the Crown on Wednesday. He told the court he had reviewed and collected statements from both complainants, key witnesses and conducted a walk-through in Sydney's CBD in September 2021 related to the older complainant's account. But the defence grilled him on missed opportunities and delays in evidence collection. Mr Campbell questioned why police had never interviewed a third man who shared the Potts Point apartment with Mr Ward at the time of the alleged 2015 assault. "It would be rather central to determine whether [the flatmate] was in the lounge room," Mr Campbell said. "I agree," Mr Bignell responded. "You can't give us one reason why you didn't task anyone to make that enquiry?" Mr Campbell asked. "I cannot," the former officer said. The defence also criticised Mr Bignell's delay in seeking taxi records to verify the younger complainant's claim that Mr Ward paid for his ride home to Meroo Meadow. Police did not request the records until 2024, by which time the company had changed hands and the data was no longer available. "That was an unfortunate development, yes," Mr Bignell said. When asked why he had not spoken to Mr Ward's regular driver, Mr Bignell said he had relied on the complainant's version of events. The court has heard that Mr Ward, who is legally blind, was known to often rely on a driver for transport. Mr Campbell also challenged the pace of the investigation, including why the September 2021 walk-through – proposed months earlier – had taken so long to organise. "Why did it take you so long?" Mr Campbell asked. "I can't recall — scheduling conflicts," Mr Bignell replied. "It wasn't the only job I was working on." Mr Bignell pushed back on suggestions the complainant's movements during the walk-through were inconsistent or unclear and rejected claims he zig-zagged around the streets. "I think you're exaggerating there," Mr Bignell said. Mr Bignell is expected to continue being cross-examined tomorrow as the trial, now in its seventh week, continues.
News.com.au
07-07-2025
- News.com.au
Man who alleges MP sexually abused him met with YouTube personality
A man who alleges Kiama MP Gareth Ward sexually abused him when he was a teenager had a meeting with YouTube personality FriendlyJordies and his manager to discuss the allegations, 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. Since his arrest three years ago, the 43-year-old has denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty to all counts. Mr Ward attended the Darlinghurst District Court on Monday as his criminal trial before Judge Kara Shead SC continued for its seventh 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 last week. The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, met with YouTube personality FriendlyJordies and his manager Kristo Langker to discuss the allegations, the court was told on Monday. Mr Langker said there seemed to be a 'reluctance' to come forward with the allegations. 'He was concerned about the consequences of talking about it,' the manager told the court. 'There was an apprehension about going to police … and about going to media … he was nervous about meeting us but it felt … it was an apprehension about doing anything and there was a general concern.' The manager told the court the man was concerned about coming forward because Mr Ward was 'powerful'. 'He was conveying to me that he was concerned,' Mr Langker told the court. 'We said he should probably go to the police … this is not really our domain.' Mr Langker said he continued to support the complainant after their meeting. 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 the man's pants and touched his buttocks. The man told the court that 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, which has been delayed several times since it first began in late May, continues.
