Former Kiama MP Gareth Ward has been sentenced to five years and nine months in jail after Judge Kara Shead handed down his punishment on Friday at the NSW District Court.

The convicted rapist Ward appeared via video link from Cessnock Correctional Centre as the Parramatta Court heard that he would receive a non-parole period of three years and nine months after being found guilty of four sexual assault offences.

His sentencing was initially meant to be handed down on Wednesday but it was delayed due to legal argument after Judge Shead announced that she had received an application to consider whether the former NSW Families Minister should be sentenced under the practices that were applied at the time of his offences more than a decade ago or according to modern-day standards.

His sentence will include time already served so he could be released as early as April 2029.

Ward issued a statement on Friday afternoon to announce his intention to appeal the sentence as well as the initial verdict.

"I acknowledge the decision of the District Court today. I maintain my innocence. Work has already commenced on the appeal of the verdict. I can confirm we will also appeal today’s sentence.

"I note that a Police Strikeforce is investigating leaks associated with this matter. Political commentators informed me of the initial investigation prior to being advised by police.

"I take this opportunity to thank my family, friends and supporters for their encouragement and continued messages of support.

Judge Shead described Ward's criminal acts as "deliberate and predatory".

The 44-year-old former Liberal Party and independent MP's lawyer earlier this month pleaded for leniency in sentencing after he was found guilty in late July.

He was found guilty over an incident involving a political staffer, aged 24 at the time, at Potts Point in Sydney’s east a decade ago and another incident involving a recently turned 18-year-old at the former politician’s Meroo Meadow home in 2013.

Judge Shead said that Ward was aware that the 24-year-old victim had expressed that he did not consent to the politician's behaviour but he had continued "until he achieved sexual satisfaction".

During the incident involving the teenager, he was told to "get off" by the young man after Ward had placed himself on top of him to give him a massage.

In handing down sentencing, Judge Shead praised the victims for having the "courage and strength" to go through with the judicial process.

She said there was "only one person who is at fault and who is to blame - that is the offender".

He has maintained his innocence throughout the process, showing no remorse for the victims.

Earlier this month, Ward's barrister, David Campbell SC, had told the Court that his client would not re-offend, saying “the courts will not see him again" after he had been "publicly exposed".

Campbell said it was “objectively a very humiliating experience" for Ward which has had “a serious impact on his life, his status and every aspect of his being".

Crown Prosecutor Monika Knowles told the Court that nobody could be assured that he would not offend again.

In his only previous public statement since he was found guilty, Ward said he was "absolutely shattered with the result of the trial".

Ward’s resignation in early August, less than an hour before he was due to be expelled from NSW Parliament, triggered a by-election in Kiama with Labor rival Katelin McInerney, the narrow runner-up to Ward at the 2022 poll, winning in a landslide.

He had held the state seat since 2011, initially for more than a decade as a Liberal Party representative before contesting the election three years ago as an Independent.

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