Chris Dawson, infamous for killing his wife, is now trying to overturn his conviction for engaging in sexual activity with one of his teenage students following a failed attempt to appeal his murder verdict.
In June 2023, the 76-year-old was found guilty at Sydney’s Downing Centre District Court of a historic charge of carnal knowledge involving a student aged over 10 and under 17.
This charge was mostly included in his overall 24-year sentence for the murder of his wife Lynette Dawson in January 1982, resulting in an additional year added to his non-parole period.
If he is released, his first eligible date would be in August 2041 when he will be 93 years old.
The challenge to his carnal knowledge conviction was briefly heard at the NSW Court of Criminal Appeal on Dec. 5, with a full two-hour hearing scheduled for late March.
The teenage student, whose identity is protected by law, was revealed to be Dawson’s motive for killing his wife and getting rid of her body, as he had developed an inappropriate infatuation with her, as per the NSW Supreme Court’s ruling in August 2022 following a judge-alone murder trial.
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His appeal against the murder conviction was dismissed in June.
If you or someone you know is a victim of sexual abuse, you can contact 1800 RESPECT at 1800 737 732 or the National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service at 1800 211 028 for assistance.
