Former teacher Chris Dawson faces more legal setbacks as he was unable to overturn his sexual abuse conviction involving a former female student.
He has been sentenced to a maximum of 24 years for the homicide.
At an appeal hearing in March, Dawson’s lawyers attempted to cast doubt on AB’s claims she had been sexually abused before her 17th birthday.
A person can only be convicted under the carnal knowledge offence – which was in place in 1982 – if the complainant is between 16 and 17 years old.
Dawson also claimed the verdict was unreasonable, asking the NSW Court of Criminal Appeal to overturn it.
The 76-year-old’s attempt to reverse a separate conviction related to the murder of his wife Lynette in 1982 was also unsuccessful.
During a District Court trial, it was revealed that Dawson, who was a physical education teacher at the time, groomed the student during fitness classes and set up a tennis game to introduce her to his wife, eventually leading to her babysitting for the family.
Dawson is incarcerated at Sydney’s Silverwater prison.
His 18-year non-parole period for murder expires in 2040.
