A former minister, now disgraced, has been sentenced to several years in prison after being convicted of sexually abusing two young males over a decade ago.

Gareth Ward, who once served as the Kiama state MP, was found guilty of engaging in non-consensual sexual intercourse as well as committing three indecent assaults, as determined by a NSW District Court trial in July.

Judge Kara Shead, during the sentencing at Parramatta District Court in western Sydney, described the 44-year-old’s actions as “deliberate and predatory.”

The judge noted that during the rape of one victim, Ward was fully aware that the 24-year-old had explicitly expressed his non-consent.

“Despite knowing the victim was experiencing discomfort and pain, the offender persisted with the act until reaching his own sexual gratification,” she stated in court.

The judge imposed a maximum sentence of five years and nine months.

His non-parole period of three years and nine months will expire on April 29, 2029.

The then-Liberal MP invited a drunk 18-year-old man to his home on the NSW south coast in February 2013 after hearing the teen was having troubles with his girlfriend.

They continued drinking before the MP indecently touched him on the grass outside and then straddled him on the bed in his bedroom.

“No, like I’m going to sleep. Get off,” the teen said while on the politician’s bed.

Ward replied: “No, relax. You know I’ll give you a massage.”

Two years later, Ward sexually assaulted an intoxicated political staffer at his own inner-city apartment after a mid-week event at NSW Parliament House.

The man, who was 24 at the time, said Ward climbed into bed with him, groped his backside and sexually assaulted him despite him repeatedly saying “no”.

He testified to the jury that he was uncomfortable and felt “a jolt kind of pain”.

After reports, police were investigating sexual crime allegations in 2021, Ward was removed from his position as minister for families, communities and disability services and shifted to the crossbench.

His personal vote was so significant he was re-elected as an independent during the 2023 election despite the charges hanging over his head.

Ward resigned from his position in August, hours before a parliamentary expulsion vote was due to take place.

In doing so, he narrowly avoided becoming the fifth person expelled from NSW parliament in two centuries.