The trial of Kiama MP Gareth Ward in Downing Centre District Court on Wednesday heard allegations from a political staff member who alleged the 43-year-old politician sexually assaulted him in 2015.

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

The political staffer told the the NSW District Court that he was approached by Ward at an event at NSW Parliament House and was offered a place to stay for the night at the MP’s Potts Point apartment.

The man, 24 at the time, had consumed “three to four glasses of wine” and described himself as not much of a drinker.

He said he thought he would be sleeping alone in a spare bedroom but he recalled that Ward asked to join him in bed.

The man said that despite telling Ward “no”, the former NSW Cabinet Minister groped his backside and sexually assaulted him.

He said he felt “dirty and confused” after the alleged incident and said “at no stage did I say yes”.

Ward was the Liberal Party’s member for Kiama at the time after winning the seat in 2011.

He was expelled by the party in 2022 before resigning to become an independent and retained the seat at the 2023 election.

Ward was also charged following alleged assaults of an 18-year-old man at Meroo Meadow in the Shoalhaven in 2013.

The trial continues before Judge Kara Shead and is expected to run for around a month.

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