Lately returned Kiama MP Gareth Ward will face one trial in a Sydney courtroom on sexual assault allegations after a decide rejected a bid to have the allegations separated.
Ward, 42, an ex-Liberal turned unbiased, has pleaded not responsible to sexual activity with out consent, three counts of indecent assault and one in every of frequent assault.
It is alleged Ward indecently assaulted a 17-year-old at his residence on the NSW south coast and had non-consensual sexual activity with a person in his 20s at his Potts Level condo in internal Sydney.
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He retained the Kiama seat on the March NSW election following his suspension from parliament after the fees had been laid.
His trial is predicted to final about three weeks, Decide John Pickering mentioned within the NSW District Court on Thursday.
The decide granted a movement to have the trial held in Sydney and rejected one other movement to have prices separated and handled in numerous trials in Sydney and Nowra on the south coast.
“There should be a joint trial, and there will likely be,” Decide Pickering mentioned.
“Overwhelmingly, in my opinion, it’s within the curiosity of justice for the trial to return to Sydney.”
The trial might be extra simply accommodated and faster in Sydney, the decide mentioned.
A trial date will likely be set “as quickly as potential”, probably on Thursday afternoon.
Ward was not required to look in courtroom and was represented by a lawyer by way of audiovisual hyperlink.
If you happen to or somebody is impacted by sexual assault, home or household violence, name 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or go to 1800RESPECT.org.au.
