Overview

• The former Kiama MP has been in custody since July after a jury found him guilty of sexual intercourse without consent and three indecent assaults.
• The convictions stem from assaults on an 18-year-old at his South Coast home in 2013 and a 24-year-old political staffer in 2015.
• The most serious offence carries a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison.
• His legal team is due to present personal circumstances and other factors they argue should lessen his sentence, including concerns for his safety in custody.
• Ward resigned from parliament from jail shortly before a planned expulsion vote, and Labor subsequently won the Kiama by-election.