A disgraced state MP fearful of “degrading treatment” behind bars has been escorted to a cell days after being found guilty of sexually abusing two young men.

Kiama MP Gareth Ward, 44, was convicted earlier in July in the NSW District Court of sexual intercourse without consent and three indecent assaults.

Judge Kara Shead on Wednesday ordered the politician be imprisoned before his sentence.

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His barrister Edward Anderson earlier urged the court to keep his client on bail saying he would be a target in prison because of his high profile and the sexual nature of the offences.

The barrister argued Ward could face “the sort of extraordinarily degrading treatment” that Hey Dad! actor and convicted sex offender Robert Hughes experienced while in custody.

“If anyone were to be at a statistically greater risk of either personal violence or generally degrading treatment, it must be this person,” he said of the MP.

But Shead agreed with crown prosecutor Monika Knowles that protective measures could be put in place to protect the representative for the NSW South Coast seat.

The judge declined to extend bail because of Ward’s poor eyesight and the need for technological vision aids as a result of his oculocutaneous albinism.

“I am unpersuaded that because of his public profile and because of his disability, the offender cannot be adequately managed in custody,” she said.

Ward invited a drunk 18-year-old man, whom he met a year before, to his South Coast home in February 2013.

The man told the jury at trial that Ward plied him with drinks before indecently assaulting him three times in one night, despite his attempts to resist.

The long-time MP also sexually assaulted an intoxicated political staffer after a mid-week event at NSW Parliament House in 2015.

The man, who was 24 at the time but is now in his 30s, told the court Ward climbed into bed with him, groped his backside and sexually assaulted him despite him repeatedly saying “no”.

Shead on Wednesday urged NSW Corrective Services to provide Ward with an iPad or laptop with a large screen and PDF reader and to pay close attention to his conditions, noting the safety concerns raised.

He was escorted out of the courtroom by four sheriffs while holding a plastic bag containing medication.

He will appear at a sentence hearing on September 19 by audiovisual link from jail.

NSW Premier Chris Minns on Monday called on the independent MP to resign immediately, saying it would be “ridiculous” for him to continue serving the state after being found guilty of sexual abuse.

The premier said he had received legal advice that the former Liberal could be expelled from parliament if required.

Ward has held the Kiama electorate since 2011, winning three elections under the Liberal banner before securing the 2023 poll as an independent.

If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.