<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>An ex-families minister convicted of rape will make his case for leniency as a judge prepares to seal his fate.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Gareth Ward's case will return to the NSW District Court for a sentencing hearing after the former Kiama MP sexually assaulted an intoxicated political staffer in 2015 and sexually abused a drunken 18-year-old in 2013.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The 44-year-old has been behind bars since July, days after a jury convicted the then-sitting MP following trial.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/christopher-webster-doctor-erin-patterson-case-sanctioned/6b60e2f6-7b4a-4883-8338-699b90496d95" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Doctor who blew whistle on mushroom murderer sanctioned by medical regulator</span></strong></a><span></span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He narrowly dodged expulsion from the state parliament by announcing his resignation from jail an hour before a vote.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>His lawyers will today lay out Ward's personal circumstances and other mitigating factors as Judge Kara Shead considers his sentence.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The most serious charge against Ward carries a maximum 14-year jail term.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/gareth-ward-ex-minister-facing-sentencing-over-rape/7d5933e1-c9d3-4cad-bc22-ff12c85519d5" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The former families minister had denied the allegations against him, before a jury found him guilty of sexual intercourse without consent and three indecent assault charges.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/susan-goodwin-remains-found-family-issue-statement/75193473-0e0a-4a83-a3be-4b4ae085d12f" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>'Incredibly grateful': Family's message after murder charge laid</span></strong></a><strong><span></span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>His lawyer had previously argued Ward, who is legally blind, would be a target in prison because of his high profile and sexual offences.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Ward was found to have invited a drunk 18-year-old man to his South Coast home in February 2013.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The man told the jury Ward plied him with drinks before indecently assaulting him three times in one night, despite his attempts to resist.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Two years later, the long-time MP sexually assaulted an intoxicated political staffer after a mid-week event at NSW parliament house.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>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".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Kiama went to a by-election on Saturday, where Labor candidate Katelin McInerney triumphed over 12 other candidates.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Ward won the seat in 2011 as a Liberal before moving to the crossbench in 2021 when charges were laid.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>His personal vote was so significant he was re-elected as an independent during the 2023 election despite being suspended from parliament.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>Support is available from the</span></strong><span> </span><strong><span>National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service</span></strong><span> </span><strong><span>at</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.1800respect.org.au/" title="https://www.1800respect.org.au/"><strong><span>1800RESPECT (1800 737 732)</span></strong></a><strong><span>.</span></strong></div></div>