By Perry Duffin
An “extremely violent” man who led police to the body of his partner inside his Maroubra home has been charged with breaching the AVO protecting her just weeks before she was found dead in his bed.
Police, who have declared Shane Tucker a “person of interest” in the death of Christine Dawson, are also hunting any information about a car crash the night before her body was discovered.
Shane Tucker and Christine Dawson (right), who was found dead in his Maroubra unit. He has not been charged for her death.
NSW Police on Thursday announced Strike Force Nain had been set up to investigate the 66-year-old’s death and wanted information about a car crash a short drive from where her body was found.
“Police would like to speak with the driver of a small white car, that may have been involved in a collision near the carpark on Bunnerong Road, Maroubra, about 8pm on Sunday 17 November 2024,” police said in a statement.
It comes after police this week charged Tucker, 50, with breaching an AVO in place to protect Dawson. Tucker has not been charged with the New Zealand-born grandmother’s death.
Court documents obtained by the Herald and tendered to court show Tucker had previously assaulted Dawson by bashing her in his home in March.
He had served five months in prison for his most recent attack and was paroled in August.
Christine Dawson and family. Credit: Nine News
Police allege Tucker was in Dawson’s company on 29 October after drinking alcohol, a violation of the AVO conditions.
It was another alleged AVO breach that saw Tucker arrested on November 18, this time for contacting a woman known as “HM” on the street in Maroubra.
Tucker had previously attacked HM, leaving her with multiple nasal and cheek fractures, and was not supposed to contact her at least until September 2029, a court heard this week.
But Tucker allegedly approached HM as she stood on the intersection of Anzac Road, where he told her something had happened to Dawson.
Police searching the Maroubra apartment block after the body of Christine Dawson was found.Credit: Nine News
The pair caught the bus to his Astoria Circuit unit, where HM found Dawson dead in Tucker’s bed.
On Wednesday, Tucker dialled into Waverley Local Court to ask for release on bail.
His legal-aid lawyer told the court Tucker was only charged with non-violent AVO breaches and nothing related to Dawson’s death. That meant Magistrate Susan Horan had to put Dawson’s death “to the side” as she mulled his release application.
But police prosecutor Nicole McMahon said Tucker had a lengthy criminal history, multiple convictions for violence, repeat breaches of bail, and numerous warrants for failing to attend court.
“He poses an unacceptable risk to [HM] who, prosecutors are concerned, he will try to influence as a witness,” McMahon said.
“He is an extremely violent person who poses an unacceptable risk to the community at large.”
McMahon on Wednesday told the court Tucker was a “person of interest” in Dawson’s death.
Police are still waiting on outcomes from an autopsy and other forensic tests to decide whether Tucker will be charged with anything more serious.
Magistrate Horan said even without considering Dawson’s death, it was clear Tucker had a lengthy history of violence and showed no sign he could comply with any court orders or AVOs.
Horan refused Tucker bail, ordering him to return to court on 11 December.
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