Teacher Monica Young refused bail over sex assault charges
Police say a young female schoolteacher saved explicit images from sexual conversations she allegedly had with a male high school student before trying to conceal her identity when police began investigating the alarming claims. The fresh alleged details have been revealed as the woman tries to get bail.
The Express
Don't miss out on the headlines from The Express. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A female Sydney teacher charged with sexually assaulting a male high school student allegedly saved explicit material from their sexual interactions on Snapchat, a court has heard.
Monica Young, 23, was refused bail at Bankstown Local Court after police prosecutor Ms Gardiner told the court she changed her name on Snapchat and spoke to her alleged victim’s mother in what police say was an attempt to cover up the alleged sexual assaults.
Detectives will also allege some of the sexual interactions were caught on CCTV at the school at the centre of the alarming allegations.
“When it was identified that Snapchat was being used to communicate with the complainant, (Young) continued her use of that service by presenting herself under an assumed name so she could continue to have sexual interactions with the complainant,” the police prosecutor said.
“We can see in the interactions her becoming aware of the circumstances and she has continued to attempt to communicate with the complainant.”
Young’s barrister Geoff Harrison told the court the allegations were strongly denied and she had the support of her family.
“The accusations of any sexual impropriety are denied,” Mr Harrison said.
The police prosecutor said the concerning claims against Young and some alleged partial admissions amounted to a strong prosecution case.
“There is CCTV evidence that supports some of the allegations,” Ms Gardiner said.
“The detectives have had an opportunity to review some of the recorded evidence and they have identified some recordings and photographs on the computer system of the applicant of an interaction between the applicant and the complainant involving an explicit image.”
Magistrate Glenn Walsh said there was no reason why Young should not be remanded in custody and refused her bail.
“The material mentioned was found on the computer and there is CCTV from the school … which shows certain conduct which is inappropriate conduct,” Mr Walsh said.
“I accept the strength of the prosecution case, that after she was tipped off that there was an investigation, that she took steps to try and get around that by representing herself as someone else on Snapchat, and trying to contact the complainant’s mother to explain it away.”
Police say the alleged assaults and illicit communication occurred on June 24, July 3, July 4 and July 6.
Court documents reveal one alleged instance of aggravated sexual assault is said to have occurred between 9am and 4pm on June 24, which was a school day.
Young’s mother, father and grandmother had attended court to support her and offered $50,000 in surety and for Young to reside at her grandmother’s address where there is no internet in exchange for her release.
“I accept that those who love her support her,” Mr Walsh said.
“But I am not satisfied that cause has been shown as to why her detention is not justified.”
Dressed in prison greens, Young was unemotional and said nothing throughout her appearance before the court.
Her partner of six years, to whom she was soon to be married, did not attend court.
The matter will return to Burwood Local Court on September 2.