As convicted murder, Dawson likely to spend rest of his life in prison

Lawyers and detectives say Chris Dawson will likely die in jail after a judge’s finding that he callously resolved to kill his wife Lynette to be with a teenage girl.

The entrance to Silverwater Jail where newly convicted murderer Chris Dawson is being held pending his sentencing and a planned ­appeal against his conviction. Picture: NCA Newswire / Gaye Gerard

Chris Dawson will likely die in jail after a judge’s finding that he callously resolved to kill his wife Lynette to be with a teenage girl.

Lawyers and detectives say the 74-year-old’s sentence will be at the higher end of the range, as he continues to deny any involvement in Lyn’s disappearance 40 years ago, let alone reveal the ­location of her remains.

Dawson is due to face a sentencing hearing on November 11, when the cold-blooded nature of his crime and his lack of remorse or co-operation with police will weigh heavily against him.

“It’s a life sentence. That’s the practicality of whatever the head sentence is,” defence lawyer Bill Potts said.

“I would expect he will remain in jail for the rest of his natural life, without really any possibility of parole or release.”

Detectives also say they believe the former teacher and star footballer with the Newtown Jets will effectively be jailed for life.

“The long and the short of it is I don’t think he’ll see the light of day,” one NSW former detective said.

There is no minimum sentence for murder in NSW, while the maximum is life without release.

Trial judge Ian Harrison SC’s finding that Lyn’s murder was ­deliberate and premeditated does not bode well for Dawson.

In delivering his verdict of guilty on Tuesday, Justice Harrison said the turning point for Dawson was teenage girl JC’s ­departure with friends to South West Rocks on the NSW Mid-North Coast in early January, 1982.

JC had wanted out of her intense relationship with Dawson, her former high school physical education teacher, twice her age.

“Mr Dawson was in Sydney, hundreds of kilometres from JC, with no knowledge of what she was doing or with whom, while he remained shackled to a wife that he had only days before shown himself to be more than enthusiastic to leave,” Justice Harrison said.

“I am satisfied that the prospect that he would lose JC so distressed, frustrated and ultimately overwhelmed him that, tortured by her absence up north, Mr Dawson ­resolved to kill his wife.”

Defence lawyer Greg Walsh will argue Dawson’s poor health and previous clear criminal record should reduce the time he serves.

Dawson had been diagnosed with dementia, possibly linked to his footballing career, meaning “jail will be much harder for him”, Mr Walsh said this week.

He is being held at Silverwater prison in Sydney’s west, pending his sentencing and a planned ­appeal against his conviction.

Prison authorities have assessed him as being a suicide risk, and are keeping him in a cell on his own for his protection. Other prisoners are constantly threatening to kill him, Mr Walsh says.

Dawson also still has to face trial next year for allegedly having sex with a teenage student.

Detectives from Strike Force Southwood charged Dawson with carnal knowledge in 2019, on the same day he pleaded not guilty to murdering his missing wife, Lyn.

The strike force was set up after allegations of sexual assaults and student-teacher relationships at northern beaches schools were raised in The Teacher’s Pet podcast.

Dawson was due to face a trial on the carnal knowledge charge last month but it was put off until next May after Mr Walsh argued publicity around his murder trial would damage his prospects of a fair trial.

Mr Walsh told a court in July that Mr Dawson was “fit” to stand trial but only “just so” after he collapsed in a street and broke his hip.