Former teacher Tayla Brailey, 32, has pleaded guilty to sexually touching a 16-year-old and having sex with a 17-year-old, offences that took place in Australia during the summer of 2024.
The NSW District Court heard that Brailey, who pleaded guilty in March, contacted her victims over social media and asked one pupil, “Do you like what you see? I see you liking my photos,” to which the younger student replied, “Yeah I do”.
Social media contact and explicit messages
During a phone call, Brailey told one victim she was going to take a shower and then sent him an explicit picture of her reflection. She then asked the boy to send her an explicit photo, which he did, leading her to respond, “Yum”. The court heard Brailey then arranged a meeting with the student, sexually touched and kissed him, and later blocked him on social media.
Her communication with the older pupil began after the boy added her on Snapchat, and they exchanged nude images. During their conversation, Brailey sent the boy a photo of herself, prompting him to say, “Let’s go somewhere”. They then met at a secluded address and had sex in the back of the teen’s car.
Breach of trust and suspension
Prosecutors stated that in both instances there was no use of force, threats, or lack of consent, but the offence involved a breach of trust from the teacher. Brailey told the two teens to “delete conversations” to avoid getting into trouble. Both offences occurred just 12 months after her wedding.
Following her arrest, the NSW Department of Education said she had been suspended from work without pay and added that support was being provided to the students and staff at the school.
Mental health and remorse considered
After being detained, Brailey admitted to sexually touching the 17-year-old and using a carriage service to access child abuse material. She also admitted to sexually touching the 16-year-old and transmitting child abuse material to herself via a carriage service.
Her barrister stated that Brailey was suffering from an “uncharacteristic and irrational sexual urge” due to undiagnosed bipolar disorder. The prosecutor acknowledged her mental health condition but stressed that she knew her actions were illegal and wrong, noting, “The offence is concerned with the exploitation by an adult of a special care relationship. Teachers are by and large…adults who ought to know better.”
