Former New South Wales Liberal minister and independent Kiama MP Gareth Ward has been sentenced to five years and nine months in jail for sexually abusing two young men.

In July Ward was found guilty of sexual intercourse without consent and three counts of indecent assault.

Sexual assault support lines:

1800 Respect National Helpline : 1800 737 732

Men's Referral Service : 1300 766 491

Lifeline (24-hour crisis line): 131 114

Victims of Crime Helpline : 1800 819 817

Full Stop Australia : 1800 385 578

The 44-year-old appeared via audiovisual link from a Hunter correctional facility as Judge Kara Shead handed down the sentence in the Parramatta District Court.

The drawn-out case was further delayed when the scheduled sentencing was postponed to allow more legal argument.

The s

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