The third week of Kiama MP Gareth Ward’s trial at the Downing Centre District Court in Sydney has concluded with a colleague of the complainant at the centre of an alleged incident in 2015 recounting a conversation with the man.

A political staffer, who was 24 at the time, told police that Ward sexually assaulted him at the Kiama MP’s Potts Points apartment a decade ago.

Ward’s defence barrister, David Campbell SC, earlier in the week suggested to the complainant, who cannot be named for legal reasons, that the incident never happened.

He rejected that suggestion under cross-examination.

The man said he went to Ward’s apartment and that after he went to sleep in a spare bedroom, the politician sexually assaulted him.

Ward is facing five charges and has pleaded not guilty to each of them: sexual intercourse without consent, common assault and three counts of indecent assault.

On Friday, a colleague of the complainant told the Court of a conversation years after the alleged incident in which he said Ward had “done somthing to him”.

The witness recalled telling the complainant during the conversation that he was exaggerating and it was “just Gareth being Gareth”.

They also said the complainant told them that they felt uncomfortable around Ward in the parliamentary office environment.

Another man, who had just turned 18 at the time of an alleged incident in 2013, has also accused Ward of an indecent assault at the Kiama MP’s Meroo Meadow property in the Shoalhaven.

Also during Friday’s trial proceedings, a former president of the local Young Liberals branch told the court how Ward would host the division of the party’s meetings at his home.

Crown Prosecutor Monika Knowles asked him about the nature of the meetings and he told the Court that a social gathering such as a barbeque, where alcohol was served, was held.

He told the Court that the meetings were held at Ward’s house to save costs, rather than at a local club or pub.

The trial before Judge Shead continues next week.

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