Man ‘scared for his job’ after alleged MP sexual assault
A man who claims to have been sexually harassed by Kiama Deputy Gareth Ward, said he was “afraid of his job” if he came to the fore to a friend with allegations.
In March 2022, NSW Independent was accused of a joint attack against a 18 -year -old man at Meroo Meadow in 2013, and in 2015, on charges of sexual assault without consent against a 24 -year -old man in Points Point.
He claimed that he was not guilty of all the charges.
Mr Ward sat on Monday for the fourth week of the penal hearing before the judge Kara Shead SC.
During the alleged attack, a 24 -year -old friend and a roommate took a stand to give evidence.
The royal prosecutor Monika Knowles asked the man a conversation between him and the complaining that he looked “sad ..
The man came to the court, “(Redacted name) came to me… It was apparently upset and told me about an incident between him and Gareth Ward”.
“He was quite troubled and had tears in his eyes.”
The man said that the complainant describes that there is a sexual nature ve and that it was “unwanted from the point of view.
The court, the complainant “looked troubled”, the court was told before asking why the man’s roommate did not come to the fore with allegations.
“He felt that he was afraid of his job and that the perceived power that Gareth receives within the liberal party would mean that he would potentially lose his job,” he said.
The complainant said that he had previously participated in an event at the attack night at the NSW Parliament Building in 2015 before returning to Mr. Ward’s apartment.
The deputy poured a drink to the man before he was allegedly trying to kiss the man on the balcony of his man, and he pushed him and said, “No”.
Mr. Ward leaned over soon and kissed the man before he said he wanted to sleep.
The Crown claims that the man was shown to his room by Mr. Ward, who is allegedly stripping into his boxers. Mr Ward put his hands on his hips before he was told to stop.
It is claimed that he was digitally penetrating the man before he kissed and masturbate Mr. Ward without warning.
The court continued a professional relationship for a while after the alleged events.
Years later, the man made an official statement to the police and Mr. Ward was officially accused in March 2022.
Three weeks ago, Ms. Knowles claimed that Mr. Ward had inconsistently attacked another man who was 18 years old at his home on the South Coast in February 2013.
Mr. Ward, who started his political career in 2011, was a member of the Assembly at the Shoalhaven Council before he became a liberal member of Kiama in 2011.
A 15 -person jury continues the hearing.
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