Greg Simms welcomes ‘freedom’ to start living again, praises hard work

Greg Simms doesn’t believe Chris Dawson will ever reveal the location of his sister Lynette’s body, but he hopes Dawson lives long enough to endure his punishment.

Greg Simms with wife Marilyn and their daughter Renee speak to media outside court after the sentence in handed down. Picture: Britta Campion

Chris Dawson’s 24-year sentence has opened a new chapter of “freedom” for Lynette’s brother Greg Simms, as he and his family begin “living our lives again without this hanging over our heads.”

Simms, who appeared in court with his wife, Merilyn, and daughter, Renee, said no punishment was big enough for taking someone‘s life, but he hoped Dawson lived for a long enough time to honour his sentence.

“Today is in recognition of the hard work so many people have done to get the resolution we needed,” he said. “We want to pay special tribute to the family and friends who worked in an unofficial capacity over the last almost 41 years.

“The system was against us, but we got there in the end. Once again, a huge but inadequate thank you to all the contributing police, Judge Harrison, the incredible barristers and solicitors from the DPP, the media for their support.”

Dawson was sentenced to 24 years in prison, with an 18-year non-parole period. At 74 years old, he is unlikely to live until parole.

Simms asked Australians to refer to Lynette by her maiden name, requesting she be “known and remembered as Lynette Joy Simms”.

Asked about Chris Dawson’s appeal against his murder conviction, Simms responded: “He’s appealed everything else – he may as well go the full hog.”

“As far as we’re concerned, today – for us – is it. That’s it. Finito,” he said.

Simms said he didn’t believe Dawson would ever reveal the location of Lynette’s body, in the wake of new no-body no-parole laws in NSW.

“I don’t think he’ll ever give it up. His non-parole-period is 18 years,“ he said. “He’ll be, what, 92, if he lives that long? I don’t think he’ll give up where she is.”

Peter Dawson (right) arrives at court with Greg Walsh SC. Picture: Britta Campion

Earlier, Dawson’s lawyer, Greg Walsh, told the media: “There’s no winners in a tragic case like this.”

“Lynette’s family have lost their daughter, their sister, their mother, and the extended family has also suffered as has the community,” Walsh said.

“So far as Mr Dawson is concerned, he now of course will spend in all probability the rest of his life in jail.”

Walsh said his client maintained he did not murder his wife.

“He said, ‘I’m innocent, I don’t know where she is because I didn’t murder her’.”

While Walsh spoke, Dawson‘s brother, Peter Dawson, stood silently behind him.

At one point, Walsh asked him if he wanted to make any comment. The brother, wearing sunglasses and a dark suit, firmly shook his head in response.

Supporters of Lynette dressed in pink were present at court on Friday, and yelled “We did it!” as they exited the court.

NSW Police homicide squad commander Danny Doherty said there was “unfinished business”, while the police continue to search from Lynette’s body.

“While the chapter is closed, the book is still open,” he said. “We will keep this case open in case we do get information.”