‘It’s a very dangerous place’: Chris Dawson met with ‘constant threats’ behind bars

Mere days after being found guilty of the 1982 murder of his former wife Lynette, Chris Dawson has been met with “serious death threats” from fellow inmates.

Dawson fronted the NSW Supreme Court court on Thursday, September 1 for the first time since his guilty verdict was handed down. Dressed in prison greens, the 74-year-old stood before the court as his lawyer Greg Walsh revealed that an application for bail would not be made.

Despite being under strict protection orders, Walsh told the court that Dawson had been subject to “constant threats” while in prison and requested that Justice Ian Harrison issue a directive to corrective services authorities, ensuring his client’s safety.

Outside of court, Walsh told reporters that his client has “been subject to serious death threats by a number of prisoners” while in Silverwater prison.

“It’s not unusual in this circumstance having regards to his profile and the charge of which he was convicted,” Walsh said.

Walsh also explained that prison is “a very dangerous place” where inmates “can be subject to unprovoked attacks”.

Dawson was found guilty on Tuesday, August 30 of the murder of his former wife Lynette Dawson in 1982.

Justice Ian Harrington delivered the verdict after a marathon hearing that ran over four hours, saying he was “satisfied” the now 74-year-old resolved to kill his wife.

 

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Justice Harrington accepted earlier in his ruling that Lynette was indeed deceased, believing she did not voluntarily leave her home and family as Dawson has continued to maintain.

In wrapping up the verdict, Justice Harrington said there was no other reason for Lynette’s disappearance than a “conscious and voluntary act committed by Mr Dawson with the intention of causing her death”.

“I find you guilty,” he said.

#BREAKING: Chris Dawson has been found guilty of murdering his first wife Lynette Dawson. #ChrisDawson @abcnews pic.twitter.com/BRej047n5X

— Ruby Cornish (@rubycornish) August 30, 2022

Walsh revealed to reporters that Dawson was “very upset” by the verdict.

“He’s upset, he wanted me to ring his wife Sue and talk to her,” Walsh said.

“Mr Dawson has always asserted, and he still does, his absolute innocence and he will continue to assert that innocence and he will certainly appeal.”

Walsh stressed that it wouldn’t be right to send Dawson to jail, considering the health issues the former school teacher is currently facing.

“He’s been diagnosed with dementia,” Walsh said.

“Jail will be much harder for him, he’s got problems with his hips and knees too.”

Dawson pleaded not guilty to the murder of Lynette, maintaining that his former wife had abandoned him and their young children to join a religious group in the Blue Mountains.