The courtroom was tense as new details emerged in the high-profile trial of Kiama MP Gareth Ward, who stands accused of serious sexual offences.

Ward, 44, has pleaded not guilty to charges of sexual intercourse without consent and indecent assault, but the testimony of his alleged victim has become a focal point of the proceedings.


The case centres on an incident in February 2013, when Ward allegedly invited an 18-year-old man—whom he had met the previous year, when the man was 17—to his South Coast home.

The complainant claims that after being supplied with drinks by Ward, he was indecently assaulted three times.


During his testimony, the man described being in a 'jocular mood' after drinking and said he decided to play a prank on Ward by pretending to pass out on the grass in the backyard.

However, under cross-examination, Ward’s barrister, David Campbell SC, highlighted inconsistencies in the man’s statements to police.

In a 2020 police statement, the complainant had suggested he either lost his footing or genuinely passed out, rather than intentionally pretending.


Pressed to clarify, the man told the court that, with time to reflect, he remembered consciously deciding to lie down as a prank.

He explained that the memory had been difficult to process and that stress during his initial police interview may have clouded his recollection.

'With a bit more time, I was able to think about why I was lying on the ground,' he said.

'You know how when you think about something for longer than you haven’t had to think about for a long time, it can kind of jog your memory?'

He acknowledged the difference between his police statement and his court testimony, but maintained that his intention was to trick Ward.

The man went on to allege that Ward found him on the grass, tried to wake him, and then slid his hands into the teen’s shorts, touching his buttocks and scrotum.

Later that night, the complainant said he was lying facedown on a bed when Ward allegedly 'mounted' him without permission and massaged his lower back, ignoring repeated requests to stop.

The defence also questioned the complainant about discrepancies in the timeline of events, specifically why he had given police the wrong date for the alleged assaults.

The man explained that he had confused his friend’s birthday with the date of the birthday party, which was actually a week later.

Over the course of four years, he made six separate statements to police about the alleged incidents.

But this isn’t the only allegation Ward faces. The court also heard from another man, a former political staffer, who claims that Ward sexually assaulted him after a NSW Parliament House event in 2015.

The staffer, who was 24 at the time, alleges that Ward climbed into bed with him, groped his backside, and sexually assaulted him despite his repeated protests.

Ward was charged in 2022 in relation to these claims and has consistently denied all allegations.

These cases highlight the complexities and emotional toll of sexual assault trials, especially when memories are revisited years after the alleged events.

The process of recalling traumatic incidents can be fraught with inconsistencies, as memories are often clouded by stress, shame, or the passage of time.

It’s not uncommon for survivors to struggle with details, and the legal process can be gruelling as every statement is scrutinised.

For many, these stories are a stark reminder of the importance of support services for survivors of sexual assault.

Have you or someone you know ever had to navigate a difficult legal or personal situation like this? How do you think the justice system can better support victims and ensure fair trials? We invite you to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.

Read more: Aussie politician faces multiple charges of assault. What happened?