Details of Chris Dawson’s alleged sex with schoolgirl as he pleads not guilty

How Chris Dawson is accused of sex with a teenage girl, 16, at his mum and dad’s house, at his school office and in his car – as the former teacher stands trial

  • Chris Dawson fighting sex charge in NSW District Court
  • Court hears allegation he had sex with Year 11 student in 1980 

Chris Dawson allegedly first engaged in sexual activity with a teenage student at his parents’ Sydney eastern suburbs home while she was 16-years-old, a court has been told.

Former teacher and rugby league player Dawson, 74, is facing a judge-alone trial in the NSW District Court where he is fighting allegations he engaged in sexual activities with one of his teenage students.

The 74-year-old has pleaded not guilty to one count of carnal knowledge, relating to alleged sexual activities with a teenage girl – who can only be known as AB – between July 1980 and December 12 1980.

‘Not guilty,’ Dawson said as he was arraigned on Tuesday morning.

Dawson appeared gaunt when he appeared in the NSW District Court on Monday. Court sketch above

Crown prosecutor Emma Blizard told the court during her opening address on Tuesday morning that the sexual activity first occurred when AB was a student in Dawson’s year 11 class in 1980.

The court was told that AB endured a tumultuous home life at the hands of an alcoholic mother and stepfather and confided in Dawson, who had shown interest in her.

It’s alleged that she would sometimes also see him at a pub frequented by teachers and students on Fridays nights.

Ms Blizard alleged that in the latter half of 1980, Dawson kissed AB while sitting in his car.

The Crown prosecution has alleged they first engaged in sexual activity at his parents’ Maroubra home some time in 1980.

‘Nobody was home, the accused had a key to the house and within his parents’ home he (engaged in sexual activities), which amounted to carnal knowledge for the first time,’ Ms Blizard said.

Chris Dawson has pleaded not guilty to the charge of carnal knowledge

Chris Dawson has pleaded not guilty to the charge of carnal knowledge 

It’s alleged that the sexual activities took place frequently in 1981 at various locations, including in his office at school, in his car and later at his home, the court was told.

The Crown will also be relying on cards sent by Dawson to AB, including one at Christmas in 1980 that said: ‘Happy Christmas. Once or twice every minute. Love always. God.’

The Crown will also be calling AB’s former classmates as witnesses.

Dawson, a former Newtown Jets player, was last year sentenced to 24 years in jail over the murder of his wife Lynette Simms.

He has maintained his innocence and has lodged a notice of intention to appeal.

Chris Dawson at his wedding to his wife Lynette Simms. He was last year sentenced to 24 years' jail over her murder

Chris Dawson at his wedding to his wife Lynette Simms. He was last year sentenced to 24 years’ jail over her murder

AB gave a statement to the Department of Education in June 1998 about the carnal knowledge allegations.

Defence barrister Claire Wasley told the court the trial should be determined on the evidence and Judge Sarah Huggett could not consider Dawson’s murder conviction.

Ms Wasley also said the issue at trial was the timing of the first sexual activity, which they say occurred following AB’s 17th birthday in early 1981.

‘It is not in dispute that (Dawson engaged in sexual activities) while a teacher and while (AB) was a student … What is in dispute is the first instance of sexual activities occurred while she was in year 11,’ Ms Wasley said.

The trial before Judge Huggett is expected to run for two weeks.

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