Kiama MP and rapist Gareth Ward has broken his silence from jail, stating that he is "absolutely shattered" and intends to appeal his criminal convictions.
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Ward has been uncharacteristically silent since jurors found him guilty last Friday of sexual intercourse without consent against a 24-year-old man in 2015, and three counts of indecent assault against an 18-year-old man in 2013.
The long-standing politician was escorted into custody from Darlinghurst courhouse on Wednesday after prosecutors successfully applied to have his bail revoked ahead of his sentencing on September 19.
A press release was issued from Ward's Electorate Office about 4pm on Friday, revealing his intention to appeal his convictions.
"I am absolutely shattered with the result of the trial and have taken the opportunity over the last few days to spend time with those I love following the verdict," he said.
"I am taking advice about next steps, but I can confirm that I have provided instructions to my legal team to prepare an appeal at the earliest opportunity.
"I take this opportunity to thank so many from across our community that have sent warm and caring messages of support to me and my family."
The statement did not mention any intention from Ward to resign from his position as a sitting member of parliament amid mounting calls for him to do so.
Minister for the Illawarra Ryan Park had earlier on Friday said Ward should to maintain the integrity of the parliament.
"He should resign, quite clearly he should resign," Mr Park said.
"We don't issue punishments, that's a matter for courts, and they've issued their punishment in terms of finding him guilty of those charges, and now he's incarcerated.
"Parliament, what we'll do next week is we want to maintain the integrity of the house, and we think to do that, it's best that Gareth resigns."
Mr Park and Ward have both been in parliament for more than a decade, becoming MPs at the 2011 election.
Wollongong MP Paul Scully echoed Mr Park's calls and said he hoped "commonsense prevails ... and that Mr Ward resigns before the parliament resumes on Tuesday".
Praise for the victims' bravery
Mr Park acknowledged the bravery of the two victims and said they "deserve our full support and admiration".
"They've been really, really brave to come forward and deal with something that has obviously caused them great hurt and great pain," he said.
"I'll be honest, to do this would not have been easy, and I have got a great degree of admiration for those people involved and a great degree of sorrow, and I think I speak on behalf of the community when I say that.
"So what my priorities are is around making sure that they're getting the support they need, but also to let them know that we think they're very brave."
Ward defended the charges in a trial that lasted nine weeks, with the verdict sending shockwaves through parliament as a by-election will likely be triggered.
A motion to expel the MP will likely be tabled next week when the lower house resumes.
A person convicted in a trial has 28 days from the date of conviction or sentence to lodge an appeal with the Court of Criminal Appeal (CCA).
If they decide to proceed with the appeal, they then have 12 months from the date of filing a notice of intention to appeal to formally lodge the appeal with the CCA.
