Arabic version: إلزام مدير مهرجان سابق بأداء خدمة مجتمعية

According to ABC News, former Tamworth Country Music Festival manager Joel Ulbricht has been sentenced to a two-year community corrections order after pleading guilty to sexually touching another person without consent.

Ulbricht, 45, was convicted and sentenced in Gosford Local Court over an offence at a home on the NSW Central Coast in January. He must complete 250 hours of community service and abstain from alcohol for six months. His sentence is due to expire in September 2028.

Agreed facts heard by the court stated that Ulbricht and the victim had spent the night drinking alcohol at mutual friends’ home after not seeing each other for 15 years. The victim became unwell and went to sleep in a spare bedroom. Hours later, Ulbricht entered the bed and put his hands inside the victim’s underwear before the victim left the room.

His lawyer, Maddison Battese, said Ulbricht initially pleaded not guilty because he had no recollection of the touching, but later accepted responsibility based on evidence including DNA results from the victim’s clothing. Judge Elizabeth Ellis said the impact on his life sounded “nominal”.

Ulbricht stepped down in July after pleading guilty, having held the festival manager role for less than six months. Tamworth Regional Council said the charges and guilty plea had not been disclosed during his employment.