Kiama MP Gareth Ward’s defence lawyer has wrapped up his cross-examination of a sexual assault complainant by suggesting the alleged incident between the two men never happened.

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.

The trial resumed on Wednesday at the Downing Centre District Court in Sydney after a week-long break due to Judge Kara Shead needing to attend to a personal matter.

Ward’s barrister, David Campbell SC, continued questioning the complainant under cross examination over an alleged 2015 incident in which the political staffer claimed he was sexually assaulted by Ward at Potts Point in Sydney’s east after a night-time function at NSW Parliament House.

The man, who was 24 at the time and cannot be identified due to legal reasons, said he went to Ward’s apartment and that after he went to sleep in a spare bedroom that the politician sexually assaulted him.

Campbell put it to the complainant that the incident never happened but he responded by saying “that is not true”.

The complainant also said the delay of several years before he reported the incident to police was due to his occupation in state politics making him “think twice” before making the allegations.

He added that Ward had “achieved a great deal in his electorate” and that the electorate “should not have to pay the price for some bad mistakes he made”.

The complainant said that he did not raise the matter with his employer because he was unsure who would see the claims if it was sent to the Premier’s office.

He also said that he did not want the claims to be played out in the media while describing Ward as an “incredible” local member.

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.

The trial before Judge Shead continues.

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