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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/nov/10/chris-dawson-a-conniving-monster-court-hears-as-judge-weighs-evidence-for-sentencing
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| Chris Dawson a ‘conniving monster’, court hears, as judge weighs evidence for sentencing | Chris Dawson a ‘conniving monster’, court hears, as judge weighs evidence for sentencing |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Brother of Lynette Dawson tells court her murder in 1982 was an act of ‘ultimate betrayal’ | Brother of Lynette Dawson tells court her murder in 1982 was an act of ‘ultimate betrayal’ |
| Former schoolteacher Chris Dawson is a “conniving monster” who betrayed his family, the brother of his murder victim, Lynette, has told a Sydney court. | Former schoolteacher Chris Dawson is a “conniving monster” who betrayed his family, the brother of his murder victim, Lynette, has told a Sydney court. |
| In a sentencing hearing in the New South Wales supreme court on Thursday, a statement by Greg Simms was read out describing how the loss of his sister had impacted generations. | In a sentencing hearing in the New South Wales supreme court on Thursday, a statement by Greg Simms was read out describing how the loss of his sister had impacted generations. |
| “We considered you an equal in all respects. We trusted you. You repaid us by committing the ultimate betrayal,” Simms wrote. | “We considered you an equal in all respects. We trusted you. You repaid us by committing the ultimate betrayal,” Simms wrote. |
| Thursday’s hearing comes 10 weeks after Dawson, now 74, was found guilty of murdering his wife in January 1982 so he could have an unfettered relationship with one of his high school students, known as JC. | Thursday’s hearing comes 10 weeks after Dawson, now 74, was found guilty of murdering his wife in January 1982 so he could have an unfettered relationship with one of his high school students, known as JC. |
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| Sign up for Guardian Australia’s free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup | Sign up for Guardian Australia’s free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup |
| “It was a brazen act of a conniving monster hell bent on one thing, getting what you wanted at any cost,” Simms said. | “It was a brazen act of a conniving monster hell bent on one thing, getting what you wanted at any cost,” Simms said. |
| Justice Ian Harrison is hearing submissions from both crown prosecutors and Dawson’s legal team about the length of jail time that should be imposed for the murder. | Justice Ian Harrison is hearing submissions from both crown prosecutors and Dawson’s legal team about the length of jail time that should be imposed for the murder. |
| In a five-hour judgment delivered on 30 August, the judge outlined why Dawson was guilty of killing his wife and disposing of her body. | In a five-hour judgment delivered on 30 August, the judge outlined why Dawson was guilty of killing his wife and disposing of her body. |
| “I am left in no doubt. I am satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the only rational inference [is that] Lynette Dawson died on or about 8 January 1982 as a result of conscious or voluntary act committed by Christopher Dawson,” Harrison said. | “I am left in no doubt. I am satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the only rational inference [is that] Lynette Dawson died on or about 8 January 1982 as a result of conscious or voluntary act committed by Christopher Dawson,” Harrison said. |
| Lynette Dawson went missing from the couple’s Bayview home in Sydney’s northern beaches four decades ago. Her body has never been found despite extensive police searches. | Lynette Dawson went missing from the couple’s Bayview home in Sydney’s northern beaches four decades ago. Her body has never been found despite extensive police searches. |
| Chris Dawson has consistently denied any involvement in his wife’s disappearance, claiming she simply left her family home and children without a trace. | Chris Dawson has consistently denied any involvement in his wife’s disappearance, claiming she simply left her family home and children without a trace. |
| Harrison rejected this version of events as “ludicrous”. | Harrison rejected this version of events as “ludicrous”. |
| Two days after the judgment, a lawyer for the ex-Newtown Jets rugby league player told the court that his client had already received death threats while at Silverwater prison due to the high profile nature of the case. | Two days after the judgment, a lawyer for the ex-Newtown Jets rugby league player told the court that his client had already received death threats while at Silverwater prison due to the high profile nature of the case. |
| The case shot into the public eye largely as a result of The Teacher’s Pet podcast by the Australian newspaper’s Hedley Thomas, which was listened to by millions of people across the globe. | |
| On the day of the guilty verdict, police confirmed the investigation into Lynette Dawson’s murder was not over and urged anyone with information to come forward. | On the day of the guilty verdict, police confirmed the investigation into Lynette Dawson’s murder was not over and urged anyone with information to come forward. |
| Chris Dawson has already filed an appeal against his conviction. The sentencing hearing continues. | |