The husband of a female gym teacher accused of sexually assaulting a male student wept as he waited outside his wife’s courtroom.
Tayla Lee Brailey, 30, appeared in Liverpool District Court on Thursday accused of sexually abusing a 17-year-old boy she taught at a high school in Sydney’s south-west.
Police believe two of the offences, sexual abuse and sexual intercourse without consent, took place in West Wollongong, her home town, in early to mid-July.
She is also said to have raped the minor on July 26 in the same neighborhood as the school.
As Brailey appeared in court via video link from the Amber Laurel Correctional Centre, dressed in grey sweatpants and a hoodie, her parents sat next to each other in the courtroom, their arms around each other’s waists.
The couple were visibly upset but tried to remain calm. At times they were overcome with emotion and burst into tears when magistrate Imad Abdul-Karim noted that the alleged offences would result in prison sentences.
Brailey and her father also gasped when, during the prosecution’s attempt to obtain a secrecy order, it emerged that the media had already covered the case extensively.
Aside from a few emotional outbursts, Brailey remained silent throughout the hearing, resting her head in her hands and looking at the floor.
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.
Her husband, Isaiah, whom she married just 11 months ago, remained in the lobby during the hearing.
Outside court, Brailey’s parents did not answer questions from reporters as they left to pick up their daughter from jail after Judge Abdul-Karim granted bail
At one point, as details of the charges were read out to the court, she began to shake in her seat.
Her husband, Isaiah, whom she married just 11 months ago, remained in the lobby during the hearing.
He and her parents formed a close-knit unit, holding each other and crying during court breaks.
Police prosecutor Sgt Hillery told Magistrate Abdul-Karim there was a strong case against Brailey.
“The suspect made spontaneous confessions when confronted by police,” said Sergeant Hillery.
‘When the suspect was approached, she gave permission to use her mobile phone. In this way, the Public Prosecution Service and the detectives obtained more information that supports the case.
Brailey’s husband is pictured outside court
‘She (would) acknowledge her misconduct, that it was inappropriate and has continued in that direction, in that she has informed the complainant not to speak to anyone about what happened prior to the alleged incident.’
Outside the courtroom, Brailey’s parents did not answer questions from reporters as they went to pick up their daughter from jail after Judge Abdul-Karim granted 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.
Brailey’s husband also made no comment as he left the courthouse shortly afterward.
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.
Brailey married her partner in September last year, after getting engaged in December 2021
Brailey is pictured after being released on bail
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.
The case will return to court on October 2.