Melbourne swim coach accused of sexually assaulting 13-year-old girl released on bail

A former Methodist Ladies’ College swimming coach accused of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl he lured to meet him with promises of cigarettes and alcohol has been granted bail.

Jayden Brian, 31, who was head swimming coach at the Kew girls’ school for nine years, is facing nine charges, including sexual assault of a child under 16 and grooming for sexual conduct with a child under the age of 16.

Magistrate Michelle Mykytowycz said the prosecution case was strong and the allegations were “clearly serious” at the court hearing in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Friday.

Mykytowycz said the alleged victim’s parents had opposed bail.

She acknowledged the alleged victim still held “significant feelings and possibly retaining feelings” for Brian and there were fears the teenager could reach out to the coach.

During the bail application hearing, Mykytowycz said Brian allegedly contacted a girl on social media, whose profile stated she was 13, in September last year.

The conversation quickly moved to Snapchat, where the tone became sexual, the court was told. Brian allegedly asked for and received nude images of the girl and also sent her a video of him masturbating.

Within a week, Brian requested the two meet to have sex in return for cigarettes and alcohol, Mykytowycz said.

The pair planned to meet on September 30, but the girl asked to meet five days earlier, and they met up in a car on September 25, the court was told. After the encounter, the girl told two of her friends. The next day, the girl told her sister, who then told their parents.

The 13-year-old also received an Amazon gift card from the coach, the court heard.

A report was made to police on September 28.

The magistrate said Brian’s internet history showed he purchased an Amazon gift card.

The alleged victim was not a student at MLC and Brian is no longer employed at the school.

At a previous bail hearing, the prosecutor said the allegations against Brian were “extremely serious and disturbing”. They also involved paying for photos and conversing with underage girls, the prosecutor said.

Mykytowycz granted Brian bail with “extensive and onerous bail conditions” including that he lives with his parents and fiancee at their Altona North home, reports to police three times a week, abide by a nighttime curfew and surrender his passport.

Among other conditions, Brian is not to contact the complainant or communicate, stalk, surveyal or follow her. He must not put anything on the internet or social media about her.

Mykytowycz also ordered Brian only use one phone and that it not have internet capability. He is not to use a computer or smart device or use social media, including networking and dating apps.

Brian is not permitted to go to Hawthorn, contact any past or current staff members of MLC or MLC Aquatic, excluding his brother, or to contact witnesses.

Brian’s father, who previously gave evidence that his relationship with his son was close, provided the $100,000 surety using the equity in the family home.

Mykytowycz said given the close relationship and Brian’s time in custody, she believed there was incentive to comply with bail, particularly given his parents’ house was offered as surety.

“I accept this has been a salutary situation,” she said.

She did not place much weight on defence barrister James McQuillan’s argument that Brian was the sole carer of his fiancee.

Throughout the hearing, Brian, who appeared via video link from Hopkins Correctional Centre in Ararat, sat emotionless wearing a white business shirt and blue tie.

He is due to return to court on February 27.

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