Patrick Kyle Howard found guilty of sexually touching woman without consent at Byron Bay Bluesfest

A Northern Rivers man has been found guilty of groping a woman in the crowd at Byron Bay Bluesfest, it can be revealed. Here’s what happened.

Police on hand at Bluefest. Officers tracked down CCTV once a report was made by the victim.

A Northern Rivers man has been found guilty of groping a woman at Byron Bay Bluesfest music festival.

Ocean Shores’ Patrick Kyle Howard pleaded not guilty at Byron Bay Court House to two counts of sexually touching another person without consent.

Bluesfest at Byron Bay's Tyagarah show ground. Picture: Savannah Pocock

Howard’s offending took place on April 7 last year, during the annual five-day festival at the Tyagarah show ground, about 11km north of Byron Bay CBD.

The 28-year-old man groped the fellow festival goer in a large crowd between 10.15pm and 11.30pm on April 7 last year.

Howard was handcuffed and CCTV footage was located after the woman reported him to police, court documents state.

David Le'aupepe performs with his band, Gang of Youths, at Bluesfest 2023. Picture: Josephine Cubis

Police state Howard has a criminal history involving street offending and a traffic record, but no prior sexual offending was mentioned.

The charge of sexually touching another person without consent can result in up to five years jail-time.

Byron Bay Court House. Picture: Savannah Pocock

It can be revealed Magistrate Karen Stafford sentenced Howard to a 12-month intensive community correction order in May.

He must complete 100 hours of community service work and was ordered to abstain from alcohol.

Originally published as Patrick Kyle Howard found guilty of sexually touching woman without consent at Byron Bay Bluesfest