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One-time lawmaker sentenced of attacking two victims he met through professional activities was given to nearly six years in prison.

Case Details

The former official, forty-four, has been in prison since mid-year after judicial panel determined his guilt of raping an individual and sexually abusing another individual, in multiple events in 2013 then 2015.

The defendant acted for the seaside community of the regional area in the NSW government from over a decade ago. He resigned as a political party cabinet member when allegations emerged in 2021 but declined to leave his seat and was re-elected in last year.

Sentencing Details

Justice the court official considered the defendant's condition of legal blindness in the ruling and determined "no other penalty except for imprisonment is appropriate".

The convicted individual, who appeared via digital means at the courthouse, will serve at no less than nearly four years in custody before he can apply for early release.

The judge stated the court needs to "deliver a strong warning to similar individuals that sexual offendings such as this will be subject to serious punishments".

Further Details

Additionally stated the convicted man had "escaped justice for multiple years and experienced freedom absent a programme or consequence for his actions during those years".

Following the verdict, the politician launched a unsuccessful court challenge to remain in government and resigned moments before the congress could oust him.

Representatives has stated earlier he aims to appeal the guilty verdict.

Incident Details

The defendant's lengthy proceedings in the judicial venue heard that he brought a inebriated 18-year-old man to his property in the first incident and indecently assaulted him on multiple occasions, despite the victim's efforts to oppose.

In 2015, he raped a mid-twenties government employee at his home after a gathering at parliament.

The defendant had argued the 2015 rape didn't happen, and that the additional accuser was misremembering their encounter from 2013.

But the prosecution contended that notable parallels in the accounts of the individuals, who were unacquainted with one another, proved they were accurate in their accounts.

Court members considered for multiple days before returning the convictions.

The political exit prompted a by-election in Kiama in last fall, which was claimed by the Labor candidate.