A Sydney geography teacher who sexually abused her 14-year-old student sobbed in court as she begged his family to forgive her for the 'embarrassment and hurt' she caused.
Monica Elizabeth Young, 24, appeared in Downing Centre District Court on Thursday supported by her parents, aunt, uncle and grandmother after pleading guilty to three counts of aggravated sexual intercourse with a minor.
She took to the stand in front of the victim's mother and cried as she apologised for 'letting the relationship progress' over the period of offending between June 24 and July 6 2020.
Young told the court that she was sexually abused when she was in Year 7 and could therefore understand the 'trauma' she had subjected the boy to.
Monica Elizabeth Young, 24, appeared in Downing Centre District Court on Thursday supported by her 'dedicated family' after pleading guilty to three counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child
Young had five members of her family - including her parents, an aunt and an uncle, arrived at court to offer their support as she expected to be sentenced
Young expected to be sentenced on Thursday but the magistrate delayed proceedings to consider the outcome
'I just never imagined I'd be one of those people… I've never been in trouble with the law. I hope he and his family can forgive me,' she said through tears.
'I was foolish.'
The court heard Young started teaching at the all-boys school in southwest Sydney on March 20th, 2020, and was given 23 classes between year seven and 10.
She'd spent four-and-a-half years at university studying to teach PDHPE, and was 'so proud' of herself when she landed her first full time role.
Of the 23 classes she was assigned, 12 were in geography - a subject which she had no formal training in and was always just 'one page ahead' of her students as she tried to teach herself the curriculum.
By April, the Covid pandemic had forced the closure of schools and Young was required to teach her classes remotely via online learning channels.
Of the 23 classes she was assigned, 12 were in geography - a subject which she had no formal training in and was always just 'one page ahead' of her students as she tried to teach herself the curriculum
Young was pictured back in February sporting longer, lighter hair and a face mask due to Covid restrictions
It was at this point that 'the lines were criminally blurred' as Young became 'more accessible' to her students, many of whom contacted her all hours of the night and day.
When school returned six weeks later, it was mid-May. The physical relationship between the pair started in June.
The court heard it was only when the victim's family members spotted him in a car park with Young that they contacted his mother and the entire relationship unraveled.
A police statement of facts previously tendered in court said Young drove her pupil to a western Sydney park, mounted him and had sex in her car.
Investigators obtained CCTV footage allegedly showing Young's car approaching the park, according to
