Key evidence that convicted murderer Chris Dawson of sexually abusing student

Schoolyard sightings, trolley boy jealousy, office secrets and love notes helped convict wife-killer Chris Dawson of sexually abusing a student.

Almost a year after former Sydney school teacher Chris Dawson was convicted of murdering his wife, Lynette, he was yet again declared “guilty”.

This time, it was for an unlawful sexual relationship with his student in the 1980s.

The 74-year-old swore five times as he learned his fate in a judge-alone NSW District Court trial on Wednesday.

In order for him to to be found guilty of count of carnal knowledge of a student, the prosecution had to prove a sexual relationship began while the student was aged 16 and in Dawson’s 1980 year-11 Physical Education (PE) class.

The defence team did not deny the relationship occurred, or defend it as appropriate, but argued it did not begin until after the school year ended and she was no longer his pupil.

If that timeline was proved, Dawson would have been acquitted.

Chris Dawson is in jail for murdering his wife, Lynette.

While Judge Sarah Huggett dismissed some evidence from AB and other witnesses as unreliable – though not deliberately – she judged most of it as truthful.

This is the version of events she ultimately accepted.

First schoolyard sighting

Dawson had his eye on AB before she was his student at Cromer High in Sydney’s northern beaches.

He first noticed her in the schoolyard and thought she was beautiful. It was one of her favourite stories that he later told her when they became a couple.

Then came the “jostling” with another teacher to secure AB as his year-11 PE student.

AB described this as “putting on a show” to prove he could get the most popular students in his class, and as part of his “grooming process”.

Once she was in his class, he would “brush up against her” as he walked past.

Dawson in his last days of freedom before his murder charge. Picture: Tracey Nearmy

Judge Huggett accepted this evidence, concluding “he thought she was beautiful and wanted to get to know her”.

At first, Dawson mainly comforted AB about her difficult home life. But at some point between July and December 1980, their interactions changed and the relationship became sexual.

Trolley boy jealousy

A key incident which helped form Judge Huggett’s verdict involved a Coles trolley boy, a friend of AB‘s.

When he was 16-years-old, word had spread that he had asked AB on a date.

He told the court he was gathering trolleys at work when Dawson “came out of the shadows” and pushed him against a ramp. Holding his chest or throat, he warned: “stay away from her – don’t go near her”.

Crucially, he said this happened before September in 1980 – the time the defence claimed a relationship had not yet began between AB and Dawson.

Sketch of Dawson during the murder trial. Picture: NCA NewsWire

Teacher’s office secrets

During the colder months of 1980, AB and her friends moved to a sunnier and warmer part of the schoolyard which happened to be in clear sight of Dawson’s office.

One former friend of AB’s gave evidence that AB would regularly “go missing” during recess and lunch.

One time, she saw AB walk into Dawson’s office. She opened the door to find AB sitting on his lap. She remembered raising concerns about it with the principal, “definitely” in year-11.

Another student witnessed AB sitting on Dawson’s desk as he stood between her legs in his office.

School report (bottom right) and love notes tendered to court.

Love notes and cards

As evidence of Dawson’s obsession, AB recalled him leaving “hundreds” of notes in her bag outside her biology class.

Judge Huggett said the timing of two cards formed “powerful evidence” that the romantic relationship was not just beginning.

One was a Christmas card in which Dawson wrote “Once or twice every minute. Love always. God”. He told AB he would call himself God to disguise their inappropriate relationship.

In another card dated February 1981, he wrote: “To the most beautiful girl in the world on her 17th birthday. Knowing we will share all the birthdays to follow”.

Judge Sarah Huggett delivered the guilty verdict. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Dan Himbrechts

School report note

One clear memory of AB’s was a comment on her mid-year report card which called her a “pleasure to teach”.

She told the court these words had a double meaning and were a “cunning” reference to their sexual relationship.

Judge Huggett accepted this as “entirely plausible”.

After “carefully scrutinising” all available evidence, Judge Huggett ruled AB was a “thoughtful, calm and responsive” witness.

While mostly appearing composed and collected throughout the proceedings, it was clear they occasionally took a toll on AB.

Dawson swore as the verdict was read out. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Jeremy Piper

She once broke down while being grilled on the timeline of the relationship.

“This happened to me and I’m so sick of this; having to justify everything I say,” she said.

“This is my life, and this happened to me, and I want something done about it”.

Judge Huggett did indeed do something about it by finding Dawson guilty.

And in response, he muttered the word “f**k” five times while appearing via audiovisual link from Long Bay Prison.

Dawson is serving a 24-year sentence for murdering his wife, Lynette in the 1980s — which he intends to appeal.

He will return to court in September for a sentence hearing.