Latest news with #Radio2SM
Sydney Morning Herald
31-07-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
Convicted rapist Gareth Ward weighing defamation options, court told
Convicted rapist Gareth Ward, the state MP for Kiama, wants more time to consider whether to pursue a defamation claim against a Sydney radio station, a court has heard. But a NSW judge specialising in defamation law has raised questions about whether Ward would be able to prove the broadcast caused serious harm to his reputation. Ward filed NSW District Court defamation proceedings last year against Radio 2SM over comments made by broadcaster John Laws ahead of Ward's criminal trial. The defamation case was moved temporarily to the court's 'inactive list' pending the outcome of the criminal proceedings. The Liberal-turned-independent MP was found guilty on Friday by a District Court jury of indecently assaulting an 18-year-old man in 2013, and sexual intercourse without consent against a 24-year-old political staffer in 2015. Ward is in custody awaiting sentence after his bail was revoked on Wednesday. Loading The defamation matter returned to the District Court for a procedural hearing on Thursday morning. Ward's lawyer told the Judge Judith Gibson, a leading defamation jurist, that a sentencing hearing in the criminal proceedings was slated for September 19, and 'my client would like some time to consider his appeal options, and would seek a short indulgence … to have the [defamation] matter stood over until after the 19th of September'. But Gibson questioned whether such a delay was warranted, and noted the sentencing process was likely to be protracted.
The Age
31-07-2025
- The Age
Convicted rapist Gareth Ward weighing defamation options, court told
Convicted rapist Gareth Ward, the state MP for Kiama, wants more time to consider whether to pursue a defamation claim against a Sydney radio station, a court has heard. But a NSW judge specialising in defamation law has raised questions about whether Ward would be able to prove the broadcast caused serious harm to his reputation. Ward filed NSW District Court defamation proceedings last year against Radio 2SM over comments made by broadcaster John Laws ahead of Ward's criminal trial. The defamation case was moved temporarily to the court's 'inactive list' pending the outcome of the criminal proceedings. The Liberal-turned-independent MP was found guilty on Friday by a District Court jury of indecently assaulting an 18-year-old man in 2013, and sexual intercourse without consent against a 24-year-old political staffer in 2015. Ward is in custody awaiting sentence after his bail was revoked on Wednesday. Loading The defamation matter returned to the District Court for a procedural hearing on Thursday morning. Ward's lawyer told the Judge Judith Gibson, a leading defamation jurist, that a sentencing hearing in the criminal proceedings was slated for September 19, and 'my client would like some time to consider his appeal options, and would seek a short indulgence … to have the [defamation] matter stood over until after the 19th of September'. But Gibson questioned whether such a delay was warranted, and noted the sentencing process was likely to be protracted.
