‘If we get in trouble, it’ll be big trouble, it’ll be worth it’: Engaged female teacher, 23, accused of having sex with a student, 14, knew what she was doing, court told – with ‘numerous events’ captured on CCTV
- Monica Elizabeth Young, 23, is accused of sex with her 14-year-old student
- Ms Young applied for bail at Burwood Local Court on Thursday morning
- Her lawyer Gazi Abbas said she could offer up her grandma’s house as surety
- But prosecutors said Young knew how serious her alleged crimes were
Monica Young denies she sexually abused a 14-year-old boy in her care at a school, which cannot be named for legal reasons
A teacher accused of sex with a student, 14, as often as three times in the one day is alleged to have told him: ‘If we get in trouble, it’ll be big trouble, it’ll be worth it’.
Sydney geography teacher Monica Elizabeth Young, 23, sought bail at Burwood Local Court on Thursday afternoon after being charged with a string of aggravated sex offences.
Her defence lawyer Gazi Abbas said Young had been ‘languishing’ behind bars since her sensational arrest earlier this month.
Jail at Silverwater Women’s prison was a ‘jarring’ experience for the young woman with no criminal record, Mr Abbas told the court.
But a police prosecutor, who gave her name only as Ms Schiemer, said that the case against Ms Young was ‘extremely strong’.
‘There’s actually CCTV of numerous events … there is the statement made by the alleged that “if we get in trouble, it’ll be big trouble, it’ll be worth it’.”
‘There is knowledge of committing these crimes and of the seriousness of the crimes.’
Young upon her engagement. She was joined in court on Thursday by her lawyer, mother, grandmother and father, who were saddened when her bail application was refused
Mr Abbas said Young – who appeared via video link and only spoke to confirm she could hear the proceedings – denies the charges and the Crown case was ‘not overwhelming.
‘There’s no CCTV actually capturing the alleged incidents. The Crown case only goes entirely by his statement.
‘The allegations are untested. It has not yet gone to court. She denies the allegations. It will go to trial.’
Friends said the pair’s wedding was ‘not far off’
The up-and-coming lawyer said Young could offer up $50,000 from her parents as surety, as well as her grandmother’s home should she breach her bail conditions.
Mr Abbas said it was the alleged victim’s word against his client’s and that Young would likely not face a trial until the end of 2021.
Mr Abbas said that her ‘loving, caring’ family had been unable to visit her in prison due to COVID-19 restrictions, which will make it ‘very difficult’ to prepare her defence case.
Mr Abbas also offered stringent ‘house arrest’ conditions at her grandmother’s place.
But the magistrate was not convinced that her circumstances had changed substantially since she was denied bail earlier this month at Bankstown Local Court.
Teacher Monica Elizabeth Young (right) with her fiance. Ms Young has denied ‘sexual impropriety’ with a student
The teacher was arrested and charged at her home earlier this month and has been ‘languishing’ in custody ever since
Mr Williams said the ‘only real change in circumstances is there is now a substantial surety perhaps up to $1 million with a house.’
He said almost ‘every sexual assault matter is the victim’s word against the accused’.
The magistrate refused bail and said she could expect a ‘considerable period’ in custody should she be found guilty at trial.
Daily Mail Australia has previously revealed exclusively how she will seek bail at the New South Wales Supreme Court next month.
Ms Young’s fiance, Moey, has previously told media he is standing by his fiance and doesn’t believe the allegations.
Friends said their wedding was expected in the near future, but was not a ground of the bail application.