AustraliaABC News & HeadlinesFormer Sydney teacher Tayla Lee Brailey jailed over sex offences with students
A former Sydney high school teacher has been jailed for 15 months after pleading guilty to sexual offences against two male students in 2024.
A woman who taught at a Sydney high school is given a 15-month prison sentence for sexual offences involving two male students.
Tayla Lee Brailey, 32, was sentenced to 15 months in prison at Parramatta District Court for sexual offences against two teenage students.
The judge said one victim left school before finishing Year 12 due to shame, and Brailey was placed on the NSW child protection register for 15 years.
Brailey will be eligible for parole on 24 April 2027, and a psychologist's report noted she was likely in a manic episode at the time of offending.
A woman who taught at a Sydney high school has been given a 15-month prison sentence for sexual offences involving two male students.
Tayla Lee Brailey appeared in Parramatta District Court today after pleading guilty to four charges relating to sex acts committed against two teenage students in 2024, including using a carriage service to transmit and access child abuse material.
Judge Elizabeth Ryan said the manner in which Brailey had broken the trust between teacher and student warranted a custodial sentence.
"Offences like this cause immense harm to the trust that must exist between families and the education system," Judge Ryan said.
"For these reasons … no penalty other than imprisonment is appropriate."
'Terrible mistakes'
Brailey was first arrested by detectives at a Sydney school in August 2024, when she was charged with offences relating to sexual touching and sexual intercourse with a person under special care.
After being released on bail, she was arrested again less than two weeks later and charged with multiple sex offences relating to a second teenage student.
The court heard Brailey had initiated contact with one teenager.
Reading a victim impact statement prepared by one of the teenagers, the judge said the offending had a deep impact on the students.
"He wrote that he has been feeling ashamed and had to leave high school before he finished year 12, because of the shame he felt," the judge said.
"He had suffered lack of sleep and flashbacks … he said none of his friends at high school speak to him anymore.
"It felt like his fault."
The judge also acknowledged letters submitted by members of Brailey's family, which said the 32-year-old's crimes had cost her a husband, her job and reputation.
Reading a psychologist's report tendered to the court, the judge said Brailey had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and was likely experiencing a manic episode at the time of the offending.
"In July 2023, Ms Brailey made terrible mistakes," the judge said.
"She used her position as a teacher … to abuse the trust of two young persons."
Brailey will be eligible for parole on April 24, 2027.
The judge made orders for her to be placed on the NSW Police child protection register for 15 years.
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