Chris Dawson applies for carnal knowledge trial to be judge-alone

Convicted wife-killer Chris Dawson’s trial for allegedly having sex with an underage student has been delayed again.

Chris Dawson’s murder trial was also heard in front of a judge only, with his defence counsel arguing the pre-trial publicity meant a jury was unsuitable for the matter. Picture: AAP

Chris Dawson’s trial for allegedly having sex with an underage student has been delayed again, as his defence counsel scrambles to apply for the convicted wife-killer to have his matter heard before a judge only.

Dawson is set to stand trial for a single charge of carnal knowledge by a teacher of a girl ­between the ages of 10 and 17. He has pleaded not guilty.

This matter is separate from the three-month Supreme Court trial at which Dawson was convicted of killing his wife Lynette so he could continue his relationship with a former student and babysitter identified by the court only as JC.

Appearing via videolink in the Downing Centre District Court on Friday morning for the first time since his conviction, Dawson was dressed in a tight-fitting green prison shirt.

He was seated, slightly slouched, in a windowless plaster cell and spoke only once, saying “Yes, I can your honour” when judge Christopher O’Brien asked if he could hear the court clearly.

Chris Dawson arriving at the Supreme Court in Sydney last August during the trial over the killing of his wife, Lynette. Picture Gaye Gerard/NCA Newswire

The court heard Dawson would apply for a judge-alone trial for his carnal knowledge charges.

The murder trial was also heard in front of a judge only, with his defence counsel ­arguing the pre-trial publicity meant a jury was unsuitable for the matter.

The court heard the carnal knowledge case will hinge on when Dawson first had sex with the student. The crown must prove Dawson was still the girl’s teacher at the time.

The prosecutor on Friday ­requested the trial be pushed back a week because the presiding judge had to attend a trial that clashed with Dawson’s.

The matter is now listed for three weeks from May 29, but Dawson’s defence counsel said she did not anticipate it would last longer than two weeks.

The carnal knowledge trial was delayed last July after Dawson’s defence lawyer Greg Walsh argued the publicity around the murder trial could ­affect a decision.

Dawson is serving a maximum 24 years in prison, with a non-parole period of 18 years. At the age of 70, it is largely understood he will die behind bars.