Sexual assault trial of former NSW Liberal minister begins

ABC NEWS (Australia)

The sexual assault trial of MP Gareth Ward has got underway in Sydney. The court heard more details about his alleged assault on an 18-year-old man. The former Liberal minister has pleaded not guilty to five charges.

Transcript

00:00The Liberal-turned-independent MP was all smiles as he arrived at court.

00:08The Crown Prosecutor detailed how in February 2013, the former Families Minister invited

00:13an 18-year-old man back to his South Coast home.

00:16The court heard the pair continued drinking and Mr Ward allegedly slid his hands into

00:20the man's shorts and touched his buttocks and scrotum.

00:24The complainant was in shock and froze.

00:27The court heard a second alleged assault took place after a party at the NSW Parliament

00:31in 2015.

00:32The Prosecutor told the jury Mr Ward invited a 25-year-old man back to his Potts Point apartment.

00:38The Crown said after the man went to lie down, Mr Ward leaned over him, touched his boxes and

00:43without any warning, it's alleged he then digitally penetrated him.

00:48The court was told the jury can expect to hear from a string of Liberal Party figures including

00:52former State Ministers Don Harwin and Shelley Hancock and former Federal MPs Joanna Gash

00:59and Anseld Marlis.

01:00They'll also hear evidence from YouTuber Jordan Shanks, better known as Friendly Geordies.

01:07Yesterday the MP, who was narrowly re-elected in 2023, made a brief statement to the media.

01:12Obviously there's a lot I would like to say and there'll be an appropriate time for that.

01:19The Defence will give their opening address tomorrow.

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