Ezekiel Jeth Cureg, 26, leaves court after pleading not guilty to his charges. Photo: Albert McKnight.
CONTENT WARNING: This article refers to alleged child abuse.
A teacher’s aide at a Canberra school who also worked as a volleyball coach will not be allowed to return to either job after he was accused of sexually abusing an underage girl.
It is alleged 26-year-old Ezekiel Jeth Cureg met the 15-year-old girl through a shared interest in sport before he groomed and sexually assaulted her between September and October 2026.
Mr Cureg had been a volleyball coach and worked as a teacher’s aide in PE at Brindabella Christian College, the ACT Magistrates Court heard. The girl is not a student at the college.
The court heard it was alleged that when he learned the girl had gone to police, he sent her a message that stated something like: “What have you done? What have you said?”.
He was also alleged to have tried to call her about 15 times and contacted one of her friends to ask them about her whereabouts.
He was arrested after police raided his home in Casey and faced the Magistrates Court on Tuesday (27 October) and applied for bail.
The prosecutor, when opposing bail, said the girl was young and vulnerable and it was alleged the man formed an inappropriate relationship with her that “she did not want”.
He was also alleged to have exhibited a significant level of control over her.
“This is an incredibly serious matter,” the prosecutor said.
Ezekiel Jeth Cureg (right) leaves court with his lawyer, Carley Hitchins, after being granted bail. Photo: Albert McKnight.
Carley Hitchins of CODA Criminal Law said her client did not take the allegations lightly, as he had just spent a night in custody for the first time in his life.
She argued he could be released on strict bail conditions, which would go a significant way in reducing the alleged risks of his release.
Magistrate Alexandra Burt said the allegations in the matter described “a significant abuse of power”.
“She is a young person and she is vulnerable,” she said of the girl.
“I accept that on the statement of facts, there has been a flagrant disregard for the complainant and her welfare.”
But she noted Mr Cureg had no criminal history and could reside in the community on very strict bail conditions that were essentially house arrest.
The magistrate granted bail on conditions including he not contact the girl, only leave his home in the company of his parents, not possess a mobile phone or use social media and not be alone around anyone under 18 except for his siblings.
Mr Cureg has entered not guilty pleas to nine counts of committing an act of indecency against a young person, four counts of sexual intercourse with a young person and one count of grooming.
He was seen crying loudly while being comforted by members of his family after he was granted bail.
The matter returns to court on 12 January 2027.
If this story has raised any concerns for you, 1800RESPECT, the national 24-hour sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling line, can be contacted on 1800 737 732. Help and support are also available through the Canberra Rape Crisis Centre on 6247 2525, the Domestic Violence Crisis Service ACT on 6280 0900, the Sexual Violence Legal Services on 6257 4377 and Lifeline on 13 11 14. In an emergency, call triple zero.
If you have been affected by sexual violence, or someone you know has, you can report it to police by attending a police station or phoning 131 444.