Kiama MP Gareth Ward is on trial for alleged assaults against two young men in 2013 and 2015. Photo: Facebook.
A high-ranking NSW Police officer has told the jury Kiama MP Gareth Ward called him in 2020 to confirm whether he was under investigation on sexual assault charges.
Superintendent Greg Moore was District Commander for the South Coast Police District, based in Nowra, when allegations were first made against Mr Ward.
Mr Ward is currently on trial for sexual assault and assault charges against two young men, alleged to have been committed on separate occasions.
Superintendent Moore told Darlinghurst District Court he was in his Nowra office when he received a call from Mr Ward on his work phone.
The court heard Mr Ward had reported he was being harassed to Lake Illawarra Police around the same time, and Superintendent Moore initially believed that was what the call was about.
The prosecution asked Superintendent Moore if Mr Ward had said, “I’ve been told Nowra Police are investigating me for sexual assault,” and Superintendent Moore confirmed that he had.
Superintendent Moore told Mr Ward the question was inappropriate, and that NSW Police did not confirm or deny those types of investigations.
“He said he did not want to do anything inappropriate, and I asked him who had told him that … he said it was just gossip,” the court heard.
Superintendent Moore called Mr Ward back an hour later to discuss his harassment claim; the Superintendent later reported the calls with Mr Ward to others in the police force.
Mr Ward, formerly a member of the Liberal Party, was arrested in 2022 and charged with three counts of assault with act of indecency, an alternative charge of common assault against an 18-year-old man at Meroo Meadow in 2013, and intercourse without consent against a 24-year-old man in Potts Point in 2015.
After a number of delays, his trial began in May.
Initially expected to take four weeks to complete, the trial has been beleaguered by delays and will continue on Monday 14 July.
If this story has raised any concerns for you, 1800RESPECT, the national 24-hour sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling line, can be contacted on 1800 737 732. Help and support are also available through the Sexual Violence Legal Services on 6257 4377 and Lifeline on 13 11 14. In an emergency, call triple zero.
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