A female physical education teacher accused of sexually abusing a 17-year-old male pupil allegedly told the teenager not to tell anyone, a court has heard.
Tayla Lee Brailey, 30, appeared in Liverpool District Court on Wednesday after being charged with sexually assaulting a person in need of special care, sexual intercourse with a person in need of special care and aggravated sexual assault.
She was arrested at a high school in Sydney’s south-west on Tuesday afternoon.
Brailey appeared via video link from Amber Laurel Correctional Centre wearing grey tracksuit bottoms and a hoodie and sat quietly staring at the floor as her lawyer filed an application for bail.
Her parents sat in the courtroom and became emotional at times, while her husband, whom she married last September, remained in the lobby.
The prosecution, which opposed bail, argued that the case against Brailey was “strong” because she had made confessions to police and that additional custody was necessary to prevent witness interference.
The prosecutor also told the court that Brailey admitted speaking to two other students, in addition to the alleged victim, on social media, that there was CCTV footage relating to one of the allegations and that evidence of communications was found on her phone and that of the alleged victim.
The Public Prosecution Service also made a final attempt to impose a gag order, so that her name, the location of the school and witnesses would no longer be published. According to the Public Prosecution Service, an eight-week interim injunction was necessary to prevent conflicts with ongoing police investigations.
The media opposed the request, stating that the police had already released important details in a statement on Wednesday morning and that the ‘monkey was already out of the bag’.
Tayla Lee Brailey, 30, appeared in Liverpool District Court on Wednesday after being charged with allegedly sexually touching a person in need of special care and having sexual intercourse with a person in need of special care at a secondary school.
The gym teacher was granted conditional bail after appearing in court on Wednesday
After a stay of proceedings, the Public Prosecution Service filed a watered-down request proposing to block the school’s location. However, Magistrate Imad Abdul-Karim rejected their request, ruling that current laws regarding reporting were sufficiently restrictive.
Brailey’s attorney Patrick Schmidt admitted the case was strong but argued that any risks could be mitigated by strict bail conditions.
He stated that his client had strong ties to her family and community, had no history of violence and that the alleged offences had not been “long-term”.
In granting bail, Magistrate Abdul-Karim ruled that Brailey must remain with her parents and could only leave the house if one of her parents accompanied her.
She must also surrender her passport, adhere to a curfew and not go near the school.
During the breaks, Brailey’s new husband and her parents could be seen hugging each other as they all cried.
Outside the courtroom, her parents declined to answer questions as Mr Schmidt told reporters they would review the evidence.
The case will return to court on October 2.
Brailey married her partner in September last year, after getting engaged in December 2021
Brailey has worked for the New South Wales Department of Education since October 2017, after completing a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education and Health Education from the University of Wollongong.
The 30-year-old got engaged to her partner in December 2021 and married in September last year.
She celebrated her bachelorette party in Bali with friends and family and enjoyed time at the popular Finns Beach Club, with several snaps shared on social media.
Earlier this year she also appeared on Channel Seven’s quiz show The 1% Club.
The education department confirmed that the teacher has been suspended without pay and that support is being provided to the school’s staff and students.
Brailey has worked for the NSW Department of Education since October 2017, after completing a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education and Health Education from the University of Wollongong.
