Kiama MP Gareth Ward is on trial facing sexual assault charges against a teen in 2013 and a man in 2015, both of which he denies. A former cabinet minister, he continues to serve in parliament as an independent MP.

Council of the City of Sydney

The trial of Kiama MP Gareth Ward has commenced, with Ward facing three counts of indecent assault, one count of sexual intercourse without consent, and one count of common assault. The allegations relate to two separate incidents, one in 2013 involving an 18-year-old at Ward's home, and another in 2015 involving a 27-year-old after an event at Parliament House. 

Ward has pleaded not guilty to all charges and continues to serve as an independent member of Parliament. The trial will hear evidence from witnesses, and a jury will determine the outcome. Ward has previously attracted media attention for unrelated incidents but has consistently maintained his innocence regarding the current charges.

MP Gareth Ward pleads not guilty to sexual assault

More than a decade on from when he's accused of sexual assault, the trial of Kiama MP Gareth Ward has now begun. Are you confident you can defend the charges? I made all my comments yesterday. The 43-year-old has pleaded not guilty to three counts of indecent assault, one count of sexual intercourse without consent and one count of common assault. His first alleged victim had recently turned 18 when prosecutors say he was indecently assaulted at Ward's home in 2013. Among the allegations are claims that Gareth Ward touched the genitals of the young man after a party in Nowra while the victim laid on the grass at Ward's home pretending to be asleep. The former Liberal MP is also accused of sexually assaulting another man two years later. It's alleged the pair had earlier attended an event at Parliament House before the accused invited the victim back to his home nearby and later climbed into his bed where he allegedly sexually assaulted the 27-year-old. Gareth Ward has strongly maintained his innocence on all charges and remains an active member of Parliament although he now serves as an independent. Did you invite that man back to your house after an event at Parliament? This trial isn't the first time the MP has found himself in the headlines. Last year Ward was seen arriving at Parliament wearing only his underwear at 4am. He went on to explain that he was locked out of his home and needed his spare key. He successfully defended himself then but this time a jury will decide his fate and the first witnesses will give their evidence tomorrow. Taylor Ryan for 10 News First.

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