Carnal knowledge trial for ex-teacher Chris Dawson delayed until 2023
The case against Chris Dawson, accused of underage sex with a then-student, has hit a road bump relating to his pending murder trial verdict.
Police & Courts
Don't miss out on the headlines from Police & Courts. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Chris Dawson’s trial for allegedly having sex with an underage student has been delayed by nine months after his lawyer laid out a slew of complications including “egregious” media coverage of the ex-teacher’s murder trial, and its outstanding verdict.
Dawson, 73, was set to stand trial in Sydney’s Downing Centre District Court on August 15, having pleaded not guilty to a single charge of carnal knowledge by a teacher of a girl between the ages of 10 and 17.
In a separate three-month Supreme Court trial, the Crown alleged Dawson murdered his wife Lynette Dawson in 1982 so he could continue his relationship with a former student and baby sitter identified by the court only as JC. Dawson vehemently denied the allegations.
His fate now lies in the hands of Justice Ian Harrison, who is expected to deliver a verdict in September.
In the District Court on Friday, Dawson’s lawyer Greg Walsh laid out several reasons why the carnal knowledge trial should not proceed next month.
“Justice Harrison hasn’t delivered a decision,” Mr Walsh said. “(That could) directly or indirectly impact on the process.
“Publicity (around the murder trial) has been the most egregious type of publicity.
“Jurors could have been exposed to media portraying him as a brutal, callous murderer.”
Mr Walsh also said Dawson was experiencing deteriorating health including a possible brain injury stemming from his rugby league career, and that there had not been time to brief counsel or apply for Legal Aid ahead of the “complex” trial.
The court has heard the carnal knowledge case will hinge on when Dawson first had sex with the student.
The Crown will need to prove Dawson was still the girl’s teacher at the time.
Crown prosecutor Craig Everson SC conceded media coverage of the murder trial had been overwhelming and its “fade factor”, or time to fade from public discourse, was likely to be six to 12 months.
Acting Judge Graeme Henson agreed, and relisted the trial for May 18, 2023.
The one-to-two week trial will hear from a number of witnesses.
Dawson was charged with carnal knowledge in 2019, the year after he was charged with his wife’s alleged murder, and almost 40 years after her disappearance.
He remains on bail in Queensland.
‘Hard to fathom’: Public speak up in hunt for Bowraville child killer
Homicide detectives are busy taking statements as they probe the suspected murder of three children from Bowraville in the 1990s, with a focus on finding the remains of 16-year-old Colleen Walker-Craig. Here’s the latest.
Cops with chainsaw surround unit in city’s east
A major police operation is underway in Sydney’s eastern suburbs beside a high school after a man was found holed up inside his apartment, suspected of being armed.