Chris Dawson has pleaded not guilty in the New South Wales Supreme Court to the alleged murder of his wife Lynette Dawson, with the court hearing that although his efforts as a husband were left wanting “he did not kill her”.

The former Sydney high school teacher is currently standing trial before the NSW Supreme Court for the alleged 1982 murder of his wife Lynette “Lyn” Dawson.

The 33-year-old mother of two disappeared from the family’s Bayview home on Sydney’s Northern Beaches in 1982, and though her remains were never found, two coronial inquiries ruled that Lynette was murdered and claimed it was by someone she knew.

Before the trial commenced Chris told 9 News that he was “looking forward to justice to be served and the truth coming out” as the trial begins.

“I just want the truth to come out,” he said.

Chris has continuously denied involvement in his wife’s disappearance and maintains that she abandoned him and their young children to join a religious group in the Blue Mountains.

Alleged claims of “animosity” between Chris and his former wife were made by the Crown prosecution as well as allegations that Chris had approached witness Robert Silkman to see if he knew someone who could “get rid of his wife”.

Defence barrister, Pauline David said there wasn’t “a scintilla of truth” to the allegations that Chris had organised to hire a hitman in her opening statement to the court on Monday, May 16.

“The defence position is there is not a scintilla of truth to the suggestion that the accused approached Mr Silkman, or any other person, at any time because he was motivated in any way to get rid of his wife Lynette Dawson,” she said.

“It is a suggestion that is emphatically and utterly denied.”

David went on to criticise the police investigation that took place at the time, claiming there was evidence that Lynette was still alive following her disappearance.

Chris has claimed Lynette called him to tell him she would not be coming home after he dropped her off at a bus stop.

“It is the very lack of investigation, the defence say, that the accused is here today,” she said.

“It is the very lack of investigation that has caused the great prejudice to this accused over many years.”

David conceded that Chris “may have failed her as a husband, but he did not kill her”.

“Christopher Dawson, the accused, did not kill Lynette Dawson,” she said.