Deceased/Not Found Australia - Lynette Dawson, 34, Sydney, Jan 1982 *husband guilty* #5

[Trooper]

"I suggest driving lessons could not have commenced until after you had your learner's permit," Ms Wasley put to her.

"I never suggested we went for driving lessons before then," AB replied.

In earlier evidence, AB said she had obtained her learner's licence when she was 16 years and nine months old.

But later in the cross-examination, she said she wasn't certain.

"It's quite possible that I was getting driving lessons with [Dawson] before I got my licence," she said.

I have always been baffled that Lynnette never got her driving licence, making her dependent on Chris, and also being responsible for Dawson's mood as to driving her anywhere. I have often thought he must have talked Lynn out of getting her licence, I know plenty of women of that vintage who's husbands were determined to be the only driver, hence in charge of all expedition... The morning she 'left him' as he tells it, he drove her to the bus stop ( with all her worldly possessions in various bags and cases to start a new life with some religious cult ) so she could go shopping. Yet here he is giving driving lessons to young students.

 

[SouthAussie]

The Australian has a new article out.

More than fun and games in the old schoolyard

It says that there was a whole parade of former Cranbrook High School students in court today, both in person and by video link.

Their testimony included:

- AB at playground duty with Dawson, their bodies so close that they appeared to be doing playground duty together, AB was Dawson's sidekick
- Dawson standing between ABs legs while she was sitting on the desk in his office "about 20cm away"
- Dawson and AB holding hands in the playground "it wasn't hidden"
- Dawson and AB sitting on a brick wall near the playground, very close, and they were seen touching each other

 

[Tweet57]

The Australian has a new article out.

More than fun and games in the old schoolyard

It says that there was a whole parade of former Cranbrook High School students in court today, both in person and by video link.

Their testimony included:

- AB at playground duty with Dawson, their bodies so close that they appeared to be doing playground duty together, AB was Dawson's sidekick
- Dawson standing between ABs legs while she was sitting on the desk in his office "about 20cm away"
- Dawson and AB holding hands in the playground "it wasn't hidden"
- Dawson and AB sitting on a brick wall near the playground, very close, and they were seen touching each other

If other students witnessed this behaviour, surely other staff did too, or at least heard the rumours. Their inaction and subsequent silence is very concerning.

 

[TootsieFootsie]

DBM

 

[SouthAussie]

If other students witnessed this behaviour, surely other staff did too, or at least heard the rumours. Their inaction and subsequent silence is very concerning.

It was more prevalent than the Dawson twins. Although the revelation about Chris Dawson's grooming of AB was the start of the proceedings against these child predators.

Strike Force Southwood was formed in 2018 as a result of the revelations in Hedley Thomas' podcast, The Teachers Pet.
Since then up to 20 teachers from three northern beaches schools have been investigated for their 'activities' during that time.

One female (former) teacher has been charged and convicted. Sentence = an 18-month intensive corrections order.
One male (former) teacher has been charged and convicted. Sentence = 7½ years in prison.
Lawsuits have been settled for a few clients by Maurice Blackburn lawyers, with about 9 more clients with lawsuits still in the works.


Lots of links out there, here is one.


(2018)
Explosive allegations up to 20 teachers were sleeping with Year 11 and 12 schoolgirls emerged in true crime podcast, The Teacher's Pet, an investigation by The Australian newspaper.

A group of teachers would regularly mix alongside students at a local northern beaches pub, buying the impressionable, underage teenagers drinks, the podcast claimed.

An ex-pupil from Cromer High who featured on the podcast said teachers of that era at the school viewed sex with young students as a "fringe benefit".

Another episode detailed claims a female teacher engaged in group sex with young male students, some who have since battled ongoing mental and emotional trauma.

Teacher's Pet podcast: Law firm explores NSW school sex abuse claims

 

[SouthAussie]

Interesting, Detective Sergeant Laura Beacroft is the OIC of Strike Force Southwood. Must be the position she had accepted when she left the William Tyrrell investigation.

Chris Dawson told boy to stay away from girl he was with, court hears

Chris Dawson grabbed and threatened a trolley boy and told him to 'stay away' from a teenage student he is alleged to have engaged in sexual activities with, a court has heard.

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[Kemug]

I have always been baffled that Lynnette never got her driving licence, making her dependent on Chris, and also being responsible for Dawson's mood as to driving her anywhere. I have often thought he must have talked Lynn out of getting her licence, I know plenty of women of that vintage who's husbands were determined to be the only driver, hence in charge of all expeditions.

RSBM
I well remember a friend of my father's saying "My wife doesn't have to go out to work.". Ah, those were the days!

 

[TootsieFootsie]

I well remember a friend of my father's saying "My wife doesn't have to go out to work.". Ah, those were the days!

That was a source of pride for men back then, that they could afford to provide for the family.

To be fair, men were expected to provide for their family, and it was thought of with shame that a wife "had to go out to work"

There was never any talk of maybe the wife actually wanted to have a job outside the home.

 

[DRT]

Witness claims Chris Dawson warned him to 'stay away' from 16-year-old student

The former teacher has pleaded not guilty to one count of carnal knowledge of a girl aged over 10 and under 17.

www.abc.net.au

So the kid with the shopping trolley who asked AB out when Dawson confronted him says It was 44 years ago and we were just 16.....

A second student says 1990 under cross examination says I wasn't year 10 because I had my dental work done in year 9. Her police statement was wrong.

Not successful on the cross examination today.

Ms Wasley suggested the witness had asked AB on a date "more than twice," and pointed to an earlier interview in which he'd told a reporter he'd done so "every second or third week".

"It's possible", the witness said.

"It was 44 years ago and we were 16… we never went out or anything."

Another former student said she'd walked into Dawson's office one day in 1980 to give him a note excusing her from class to go to the dentist.

Under cross-examination the defence showed the witness a police statement in which she had initially claimed the incident happened when she was in year 10.

"Obviously it was an error, [stating] that I was in year 10… it was in year 9 that I had the dental work done," the witness responded.

 

[Annalize]

Witness claims Chris Dawson warned him to 'stay away' from 16-year-old student

The former teacher has pleaded not guilty to one count of carnal knowledge of a girl aged over 10 and under 17.

www.abc.net.au

So the kid with the shopping trolley who asked AB out when Dawson confronted him says It was 44 years ago and we were just 16.....

A second student says 1990 under cross examination says I wasn't year 10 because I had my dental work done in year 9. Her police statement was wrong.

Not successful on the cross examination today.

Ms Wasley suggested the witness had asked AB on a date "more than twice," and pointed to an earlier interview in which he'd told a reporter he'd done so "every second or third week".

"It's possible", the witness said.

"It was 44 years ago and we were 16… we never went out or anything."

Another former student said she'd walked into Dawson's office one day in 1980 to give him a note excusing her from class to go to the dentist.

Under cross-examination the defence showed the witness a police statement in which she had initially claimed the incident happened when she was in year 10.

"Obviously it was an error, [stating] that I was in year 10… it was in year 9 that I had the dental work done," the witness responded.

So what an upstanding/ honourable job the defence has in this trial. Spending such energy and dedication to create doubt and to interrogate people who witnessed systemic abuse from adult professionals who had a duty of care to protect and respect the children in their care.
Imagine drilling down on whether widespread sexual abuse, intimidation, provision of alcohol and drugs, exploitation, and goodness knows what else to students at a school you worked at, happened when they were 16 or 17. It would appear that the grooming (abuse) may have started earlier than that.
Imagine causing increased trauma by disputing fine details and technicalities in an issue that is unlawful, immoral, abusive, controlling and has had long term consequences for the victims, and for those who witnessed the abuse. When children see other children being abused the impact is devastating. And when they step forward to voice their outrage at teachers abusing students, the issue seems to be about the precise date the abuse occurred.
It is possible that the Teflon twin was far more prolific in his abusive interactions with students, and has no shame or conscience or accountability about what has occurred. Sadly, the terror continues for some victims. Imagine if the twins stood up, acknowledged their wrongdoing, apologised and took the consequences for their crimes. Imagine if the legal system acknowledged that whether a student is 15, 16 or 17 their teachers are bound to protect them, not abuse them. Is beating someone ok when they are 17 but not 16? Is murdering someone ok when they are 17 but not 16? Abuse is abuse and it is intolerable!
If there are any victims following this page, keep speaking your truth. Most people care about the safety of children and young adults. Most people believe that you deserved respect and a carefree young life.

 

[Cliff Hardy]

So what an upstanding/ honourable job the defence has in this trial.

It appears the defence have nothing to offer in this case and trying to muddy the water by making it hard for witnesses to present their recollections is about all they can do.

From what I have read, I am feeling much more confident of a guilty verdict in this case than I was for the murder case.

 

[Kemug]

Strike Force Southwood was formed in 2018 as a result of the revelations in Hedley Thomas' podcast, The Teachers Pet.
Since then up to 20 teachers from three northern beaches schools have been investigated for their 'activities' during that time.
One female (former) teacher has been charged and convicted. Sentence = an 18-month intensive corrections order.
One male (former) teacher has been charged and convicted. Sentence = 7½ years in prison.
Lawsuits have been settled for a few clients by Maurice Blackburn lawyers, with about 9 more clients with lawsuits still in the works.

RSBM
This is shocking - it's almost right up there with the last decade or two's revelations about what went on in children's homes, churches, etc.

 

[Tweet57]

Witness claims Chris Dawson warned him to 'stay away' from 16-year-old student

The former teacher has pleaded not guilty to one count of carnal knowledge of a girl aged over 10 and under 17.

www.abc.net.au

So the kid with the shopping trolley who asked AB out when Dawson confronted him says It was 44 years ago and we were just 16.....

Ms Wasley suggested the witness had asked AB on a date "more than twice," and pointed to an earlier interview in which he'd told a reporter he'd done so "every second or third week".

"It's possible", the witness said.

"It was 44 years ago and we were 16… we never went out or anything."

I just hope the trolley lad had pleasure in fronting and eyeballing CD in court. And thinking “ Who’s the tough bully now, you disgusting old man?”

 

[Trooper]

I still can't help myself from believing that this time, this particular case, this specific allegation will somehow drive Dawson into testifying. Call me a dreamer. It seems there could be a lot more repercussions in prison being a child sexual abuser than murdering your wife, which, in Australia is almost a 2nd hobby, if statistics are anything to go by. This trial, and it's outcome , may have more at stake for Dawson, and the Dawsons et al than to be merely a wife murderer.

He may be pushed into testifying by family members, and then, there would be the family members for whom that would be lethal.. a bit of a conundrum. I would be shocked if he did testify, and the odds are against it. But.. . .. you can roll me in coconut and call me a lamington, but there is that slight possibility.

 

[Cliff Hardy]

I still can't help myself from believing that this time, this particular case, this specific allegation will somehow drive Dawson into testifying. Call me a dreamer. It seems there could be a lot more repercussions in prison being a child sexual abuser than murdering your wife, which, in Australia is almost a 2nd hobby, if statistics are anything to go by. This trial, and it's outcome , may have more at stake for Dawson, and the Dawsons et al than to be merely a wife murderer.

He may be pushed into testifying by family members, and then, there would be the family members for whom that would be lethal.. a bit of a conundrum. I would be shocked if he did testify, and the odds are against it. But.. . .. you can roll me in coconut and call me a lamington, but there is that slight possibility.

We can only hope. But I will be astonished if Dawson ever reveals what he did with Lynne, particularly if he doesn't feel he is receiving something in return that makes it worth his while.

The Dawson side of the family seem to have long ago accepted what he did and moved on like nothing happened. There is no chance any of them will be applying any pressure on Chris, particularly when it might further embarrass, perhaps even incriminate, one or more of them.

 

[Cliff Hardy]

Evidence in Chris Dawson's judge-alone trial concluded today, with the Crown prosecution and defence to deliver closing addresses next week before Judge Sarah Huggett retires to consider her verdict.

So into next week it goes folks.

 

[Kemug]

I don't think CD will testify without his twin's permission, and I don't see that happening.

 

[DRT]

Evidence in Chris Dawson's judge-alone trial concluded today, with the Crown prosecution and defence to deliver closing addresses next week before Judge Sarah Huggett retires to consider her verdict.

So into next week it goes folks.

CHannel 9 says the judgement will take about 2 weeks. A few quotes from the article below. No complaints about Dawson were uncovered by police in his time at Cromer. AB didn't tell police everything when interviewed.

Chris Dawson trial over sex with 16-year-old student nears close

www.9news.com.au

Earlier in the trial, AB said Dawson first became interested in her after he found a topless photo of her taken at a picnic when she was 15.

Detective Sergeant Laura Beacroft, who led Strike Force Southwood investigations into sexual abuse of students at northern beaches high schools, told the court on Thursday AB had not mentioned the photo when she was being interviewed by police in 2019.

AB also did not tell police about another incident in which Dawson was allegedly "jostling" with other teachers to take her class in year 11, Det Sgt Beacroft said.

She also said the Department of Education did not uncover any records of complaints filed against Dawson while he was employed at Cromer High School between 1979 and 1983.

Neither Dawson nor his twin brother Paul, who the court heard kissed and cuddled with schoolgirls in a pool, have given evidence in the trial.

 

[Cliff Hardy]

Starting to wonder if the prosecution had enough to work with?

Regardless of the outcome, Dawson is where he belongs until the day he dies.

 

[k-mac]

Starting to wonder if the prosecution had enough to work with?

Regardless of the outcome, Dawson is where he belongs until the day he dies.

Yeah I know what you mean Cliff.
Would have liked another one to come out of the woodwork.
Not just the girl he was obsessed with and went on to marry.
But.
It was a crime.
Collectively it is obvious they were mucking around before she was 17.

Positive vibes there will be a conviction to tap onto the current sentence.....just to be sure he stays there!