3 days ago
Bail granted to 29-year-old Canberran woman charged with grooming boy she worked with
A Canberra woman has fronted the ACT Magistrates Court accused of grooming a boy she worked with, despite knowing their interactions were "illegal".
The court heard the 29-year-old woman had said "she loved him [the boy] and she meant it" during police investigations.
ACT police raided the woman's home in Canberra on Saturday May 31 after learning about the allegations, seizing the woman's phone and laptop.
She was charged with seven offences including three counts of committing an act of indecency with a young person under 16, two counts of sexual intercourse with a person aged between 10 and 16, possessing child exploitation material and grooming a young person.
The court heard the allegations occurred over a five-month period.
Prosecutor Corinne Kennedy said police had uncovered text messages between the pair which demonstrated the woman clearly knew their relationship was wrong, including ways to keep it a secret and "away from the eyes of others".
Ms Kennedy said the "strong prosecution case" showed the woman had developed a relationship with a child involving a "notable power imbalance".
She argued there was a serious risk the relationship would continue if the woman was granted bail, given she allegedly pursued the relationship despite knowing it was illegal.
Magistrate Ian Temby said it seemed there was an "intensity" to their interactions and acknowledged the vulnerability of the child.
He also expressed concern for the boy's "capacity to protect himself" but acknowledged the boy's support network was now aware of the circumstances.
Legal Aid duty lawyer Samuel Collett said the woman knew she was facing "extremely concerning" charges but argued that strict bail conditions amounting to "effective house arrest" would protect the boy and any risk of the woman interfering with evidence.
The woman was granted bail on the condition that she did not leave her home without her husband.
The court heard the husband was willing to support her, including going so far as to change jobs to ensure the couple could afford their rent.
The woman is also barred from contacting the boy or being within 100 metres of him, spending time with children without adult supervision, and she cannot be in possession of a smartphone or a laptop.
The court also heard the woman had been cooperative with police since her arrest and intends to seek support from mental health services.
The woman was not required to enter a plea to the charges.
Her matter will return to court on July 1, 2025.
