The devastated husband of a physical education teacher accused of sexually abusing a student sobbed as he waited outside the court where his wife’s case was being heard.
Tayla Lee Brailey, 30, appeared in Liverpool Local Court on Thursday charged with sexually abusing a 17-year-old boy she taught at a secondary school in south-west Sydney.
Police will allege two of the offences, sexual touching and sexual intercourse without consent, occurred in West Wollongong, his home suburb, between early and mid-July.
He also allegedly raped the minor on July 26 in the same suburb where the school is located.
As Brailey appeared in court via video link from the Amber Laurel Correctional Center, dressed in gray sweatpants and a hoodie, her parents sat side by side in the courtroom, one arm around the other’s waist.
Visibly distraught but trying to remain calm, the couple were at times overcome with emotion and burst into tears when magistrate Imad Abdul-Karim noted that the alleged offences carried prison sentences.
Brailey and her father were also left breathless when it was revealed during the prosecution’s attempt to impose a suppression order that the media had already reported widely on the case.
Aside from occasional emotional outbursts, Brailey remained silent throughout the hearing, resting his head on his hands and staring at the floor.
Tayla Lee Brailey, 30, appeared at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday after being charged with allegedly sexually touching a person in special care and having sex with a person in special care at a secondary school.
Her husband, Isaiah, whom she married just 11 months ago, remained in the lobby during the procedure.
Outside court, Brailey’s parents did not respond to questions from reporters as they went to collect their daughter from jail after Magistrate Abdul-Karim granted them bail.
At one point, as details of the charges were being read out to the court, she swayed in her seat.
Her husband, Isaiah, whom she married just 11 months ago, remained in the lobby during the procedure.
He and his parents maintained a united front, hugging and crying during court breaks.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Hillery told Magistrate Abdul-Karim there was a strong case against Brailey.
“The defendant made spontaneous admissions when spoken to by police,” Sgt Hillery said.
‘When questioned, the accused allowed access to her mobile phone and through it the prosecution and detectives obtained further material that helps the case.
Brailey’s husband is pictured outside the court
“She (allegedly) acknowledges her misconduct, which is inappropriate, and continued down that path, to the point of informing the plaintiff not to speak to anyone about what was happening before the alleged incident occurred.”
Outside court, Brailey’s parents did not respond to questions from reporters as they went to collect their daughter from jail after Magistrate Abdul-Karim granted them bail.
Judge Abdul-Karim ruled that Brailey must remain at her parents’ home and only leave the house if accompanied by one of her parents.
They must also surrender their passport, respect the curfew and not approach the school.
Similarly, Brailey’s husband made no comment as he separately left the courthouse a short time later.
Brailey had been working for the NSW Department of Education since October 2017, after completing a Bachelor of Physical Education and Health at 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 hen party in Bali with friends and family, spending time at the popular Finns Beach Club, and shared several snaps on social media.
He also appeared on Channel Seven’s quiz show The 1% Club earlier this year.
The education department confirmed the teacher had been suspended without pay and that support was being provided to staff and students at the school.
The matter is due to come back to court on October 2.
