DPP took four years to declare conflict over Chris Dawson

The probable murder of Lyn Dawson was raised with the NSW DPP four years before he says he declared a conflict of interest.

NSW DPP Lloyd Babb SC. Picture: John Grainger

The probable murder of Lyn Dawson was raised with NSW Director of Public Prosecutions Lloyd Babb SC four years before he says he declared a conflict of interest because of his past association with her husband and suspected killer.

Mr Babb has said in response to questions from The Australian that he “immediately” indicated his conflict to deputy directors in 2015 and again this year and had removed himself from any ­decision-making on the case.

But yesterday he refused to answer a series of further questions about why he did not declare the association earlier, when Lyn’s relatives first wrote to him in 2011.

“We have addressed your inquiries about a conflict of interest,” a spokeswoman said.

“We will make no further comment about this advising.”

The Australian has a copy of a five-page letter Mr Babb was sent dated November 1, 2011, four months after his appointment to the top role, outlining the history of the case including the Office of the DPP’s repeated refusal to prosecute.

“I noted with interest your recent appointment as NSW Director of Public Prosecutions,” wrote Wendy Jennings, Lyn’s cousin.

“This letter is to bring your attention to the unsolved case of Lynette Joy Dawson who was murdered by a known person in early Jan. 1982 and still to this day after nearly 30 yrs (he) has his freedom.” Mrs Jennings received a reply dated November 21, 2011, from the DPP’s deputy director, Keith Alder.

“The Office is of the view after extensive consideration of all the available admissible evidence in this matter that there is insufficient evidence to satisfy a jury properly instructed that a particular person was responsible for the disappearance and or death of Mrs Lynette Dawson,” Mr Alder wrote.

Police have wanted to charge Lyn’s husband, former Newtown Jets rugby league star Chris Dawson, since two coroners found in 2001 and 2003 that he killed his wife and should be prosecuted. Mr Dawson asserts his innocence.

Lyn’s family had been unaware Mr Babb was school captain at Asquith Boys High in 1984 when Mr Dawson and his twin brother Paul taught there, and that they knew each other at the time through rugby league.

Mr Babb says he has had no contact with the brothers since then.

In her 2011 letter to Mr Babb, Mrs Jennings wrote of her concerns about “unsubstantiated claims” made to her by a lawyer from the DPP’s office after the 2003 inquest.

These claims included that Lyn was sighted by her mother, Helena Simms, after she disappeared and that Lyn’s bank card was used after she disappeared.

“Let it not be forgotten that Lynette has never been sighted (nor) has she contacted her parents (prior to their deaths), her daughters, siblings, other family members, friends or workmates. Lyn was very close to her family.

“These are just a few of the ‘red herrings’ manufactured by Chris Dawson in his continued attempt to convince anyone in believing that Lyn is still alive.”

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