Shocking trial details reveal: Chris Dawson's alleged timeline of illicit acts with underage student before wife's murder
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Content warning: This article mentions sexual abuse and relations with a minor. Reader discretion is advised.
Chris Dawson, the infamous convicted wife-killer, now faces allegations of engaging in an unlawful sexual relationship with a student while he was still a teacher.
However, his lawyer claims that the teenager was never his student.
These claims come to light as he faces a charge dating back to between July and December 1980, involving a 16-year-old student identified as ‘AB’. Dawson, now 74, has pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The historical carnal knowledge charge was replaced in 1986.
Now, prosecutors must prove that alleged sexual activity occurred while he was her teacher, said public defender Claire Wasley.
However, Crown prosecutor Emma Blizard had argued that the central issue of the trial revolves around ‘timing and when events commenced’. She also said it is not disputed that sexual activity took place.
According to reports, Dawson’s first interaction with AB was to return a topless photo taken while on a picnic with the student, who was believed to be 14 or 15 at the time. The photo also circulated around the school where he once taught.
AB has now come forward with shocking details of her alleged relationship with Dawson.
She began by clarifying that Dawson was not her teacher initially, stating that she ‘went unnoticed’ and ‘had little to do with him’.
‘There was no need. He wasn't my teacher. I was ensconced in my social group and trying to navigate that normal 15-year-old life,’ she told the court.
Things reportedly took a dark and disturbing turn when Dawson got his hands on a topless photo of AB, taken when she was 14 or 15.
This brought her to his attention, and soon, he expressed a desire to have AB in his class to ‘get to know her’.
AB revealed that Dawson ‘softened’ her up and made her feel special. Then, she began confiding in him about her difficulties at home. This was when he allegedly put his hand on her bare knee at a sports carnival.
She also started babysitting his children almost every weekend, including while he and his wife spent the night at home.
The alleged illicit relationship progressed as Dawson increasingly integrated himself into AB's life, attending the pub where she and other underage students drank on Fridays.
‘It just got out of control in terms of the amount of time I was spending with him,’ she said.
He also started inviting her to exercise classes he taught with his twin brother, where, as AB put it: ‘When one twin was running the class, the other was out the back with whichever student was their property at the time.’
The alleged first incident of sexual activity occurred at Dawson's parents’ home at Maroubra in Sydney’s south when AB was just 16 years old, and Dawson was her teacher. AB was told to keep the illicit acts a secret.
According to AB, the incidents continued, taking place at Dawson's home, in his office at the school, and even in the back of his car once he removed the baby seat.
She told the court that he even left notes in her bag while she sat in classes and left coded messages on her school reports, noting that in November 1980, she was a ‘pleasure to teach’.
‘He wasn’t referring to teaching sports coaching … he thought it was very clever to be able to put that on a public document,’ the court heard.
Dawson was jailed in 2022 for the murder of his wife Lynette, who disappeared in January 1982.
According to the findings, it was to pursue an ‘unfettered relationship’ with the student.
With the trial still ongoing, Wasley reminded Judge Sarah Huggett and all involved to refrain from judging Dawson by contemporary legal or moral standards and to ignore what they know about his previous conviction for murder.
In the meantime, Dawson's old age and health issues mean that frequent breaks during the judge-alone trial will be necessary.
His lawyers have also noted that Dawson has been having difficulties following the proceedings, so he will appear via audio-visual link from now on rather than being transported to and from prison.
While we know this is a heavy story for our members, we believe that information is power and awareness is crucial. And remember, if you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault or domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au.
In an emergency, call 000. National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service are also available at 1800 211 028.
Chris Dawson, the infamous convicted wife-killer, now faces allegations of engaging in an unlawful sexual relationship with a student while he was still a teacher.
However, his lawyer claims that the teenager was never his student.
These claims come to light as he faces a charge dating back to between July and December 1980, involving a 16-year-old student identified as ‘AB’. Dawson, now 74, has pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The historical carnal knowledge charge was replaced in 1986.
Now, prosecutors must prove that alleged sexual activity occurred while he was her teacher, said public defender Claire Wasley.
The photo of the girl circulated around the school where Dawson taught. Credit: Pixabay/Pexels
However, Crown prosecutor Emma Blizard had argued that the central issue of the trial revolves around ‘timing and when events commenced’. She also said it is not disputed that sexual activity took place.
According to reports, Dawson’s first interaction with AB was to return a topless photo taken while on a picnic with the student, who was believed to be 14 or 15 at the time. The photo also circulated around the school where he once taught.
AB has now come forward with shocking details of her alleged relationship with Dawson.
She began by clarifying that Dawson was not her teacher initially, stating that she ‘went unnoticed’ and ‘had little to do with him’.
‘There was no need. He wasn't my teacher. I was ensconced in my social group and trying to navigate that normal 15-year-old life,’ she told the court.
According to reports, the first illicit activity happened when AB was 16. Credit: Kat Smith/Pexels
Things reportedly took a dark and disturbing turn when Dawson got his hands on a topless photo of AB, taken when she was 14 or 15.
This brought her to his attention, and soon, he expressed a desire to have AB in his class to ‘get to know her’.
AB revealed that Dawson ‘softened’ her up and made her feel special. Then, she began confiding in him about her difficulties at home. This was when he allegedly put his hand on her bare knee at a sports carnival.
She also started babysitting his children almost every weekend, including while he and his wife spent the night at home.
The alleged illicit relationship progressed as Dawson increasingly integrated himself into AB's life, attending the pub where she and other underage students drank on Fridays.
‘It just got out of control in terms of the amount of time I was spending with him,’ she said.
He also started inviting her to exercise classes he taught with his twin brother, where, as AB put it: ‘When one twin was running the class, the other was out the back with whichever student was their property at the time.’
The alleged first incident of sexual activity occurred at Dawson's parents’ home at Maroubra in Sydney’s south when AB was just 16 years old, and Dawson was her teacher. AB was told to keep the illicit acts a secret.
According to AB, the incidents continued, taking place at Dawson's home, in his office at the school, and even in the back of his car once he removed the baby seat.
She told the court that he even left notes in her bag while she sat in classes and left coded messages on her school reports, noting that in November 1980, she was a ‘pleasure to teach’.
‘He wasn’t referring to teaching sports coaching … he thought it was very clever to be able to put that on a public document,’ the court heard.
Dawson was jailed in 2022 for the murder of his wife Lynette, who disappeared in January 1982.
According to the findings, it was to pursue an ‘unfettered relationship’ with the student.
With the trial still ongoing, Wasley reminded Judge Sarah Huggett and all involved to refrain from judging Dawson by contemporary legal or moral standards and to ignore what they know about his previous conviction for murder.
In the meantime, Dawson's old age and health issues mean that frequent breaks during the judge-alone trial will be necessary.
His lawyers have also noted that Dawson has been having difficulties following the proceedings, so he will appear via audio-visual link from now on rather than being transported to and from prison.
While we know this is a heavy story for our members, we believe that information is power and awareness is crucial. And remember, if you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault or domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au.
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