The Teacher's Trial

Grey, shrunken and hiding his face, Chris Dawson is sentenced for unlawful carnal knowledge of a schoolgirl. Hedley Thomas joins us.

Find out more about The Front podcast here and read about this story and more on The Australian's website or search for The Australian in your app store.

This episode of The Front is presented by Claire Harvey, produced by Kristen Amiet, and edited by Lia Tsamoglou. Original music is composed by Jasper Leak.

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Hedley Thomas, Claire Harvey and David Murray reveal how our smash-hit podcasts get made.

Find out more about The Front podcast here and read about this story and more on The Australian's website or search for The Australian in your app store.

This episode of The Front is presented and produced by Kristen Amiet, and edited by Lia Tsamoglou. Our regular host is Claire Harvey and original music is composed by Jasper Leak.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"The accused committed an act of carnal knowledge while she was 16 years of age in his and his pupil.”

That was the judgement of Judge Sarah Huggett, who found Christopher Michael Dawson guilty of carnal knowledge on Wednesday, June 28, 2023. She said the complainant’s evidence had a “ring of truth” that could only lead her to this stunning conclusion.

In this episode Hedley Thomas, Claire Harvey, David Murray, and Matthew Condon discuss the verdict, as well as Chris Dawson’s reaction to it and what it means for the family of Lynette Dawson. 

To read The Australian's reporting and analysis of the trial and verdict, search The Teacher's Accuser or visit theteachersaccuser.com.au. 

For daily updates from The Australian, search for "The Front" in your podcast app.

The National Sexual Assault Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service is on 1800RESPECT.

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The Australian's global smash-hit podcast Teacher's Pet returns for Australian audiences on July 1.

You can find it wherever you got this podcast. Just search for "The Teacher's Pet". 

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Christopher Michael Dawson has been found guilty of carnal knowledge of a complainant who was his student at Cromer High School in 1980.

The Front is The Australian's daily news podcast. You can find it wherever you got this podcast. 

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The carnal knowledge trial of Christopher Michael Dawson has officially come to a close. Just as he did in his murder trial, Dawson exercised his right to silence: he did not give evidence in his own defence.

In this episode, Hedley Thomas, Claire Harvey, David Murray, and Matthew Condon discuss the closing submissions of Crown Prosecutor Emma Blizard and defence barrister Claire Wasley.

Plus, we dissect the evidence of the final witnesses called by the Crown.

To read The Australian's ongoing coverage of the trial, search The Teacher's Accuser or visit theteachersaccuser.com.au. 

For daily updates from The Australian, search for "The Front" in your podcast app.

The National Sexual Assault Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service can be reached on 1800RESPECT.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“I want it to end”: the emotional plea from Chris Dawson’s accuser, AB, during a sometimes fiery courtroom battle with public defender Claire Wasley. At one point, AB dismissed Wasley’s suggestions as “garbage”

In this episode, Hedley Thomas, Claire Harvey, David Murray, and Matthew Condon analyse AB’s testimony under pressure, and we get to know what Paul Dawson was allegedly up to all those years ago. 

To read The Australian's ongoing coverage of the trial, search The Teacher's Accuser or visit theteachersaccuser.com.au. 

For daily updates from The Australian, search for "The Front" in your podcast app.

The National Sexual Assault Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service is free, confidential and 24-7. Just call 1800RESPECT (1800 732 732)

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Forty-three years after she alleges Christopher Michael Dawson abused her for the first time, the complainant in the convicted murderer’s latest trial has told her story in court. 

Identified only as AB for legal reasons, she says she was 16 years old and a student of Dawson's when the alleged sexual activity first took place – a claim Dawson has denied.

Hedley Thomas, Claire Harvey, David Murray, and Matthew Condon discuss AB’s evidence-in-chief, along with opening statements from Crown prosecutor Emma Blizard and defence barrister Claire Wasley. 

To read The Australian's ongoing coverage of the trial, search The Teacher's Accuser or visit theteachersaccuser.com.au. 

For daily updates from The Australian, search for "The Front" in your podcast app.

The National Sexual Assault Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service can be reached on 1800RESPECT.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Handcuffed and in prison greens, Christopher Michael Dawson faces a new charge – this time, unlawful carnal knowledge of a 16-year-old schoolgirl. The charge dates back to 1980, when he was her sports teacher at a Northern Beaches high school. 

Dawson denies the charge, and will argue instead they didn't have sex until after her 17th birthday. 

We trace this story back to the start, unpack the history of this antiquated-sounding charge, find out what's happening with Dawson's murder appeal, and bring you all the action from Day 1 of this gripping new trial.

To read The Australian's ongoing coverage of the trial, search The Teacher's Accuser or visit theteachersaccuser.com.au. 

For daily updates from The Australian, search for "The Front" in your podcast app.

The National Sexual Assault Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service can be reached on 1800RESPECT.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Just months into his 24-year prison term for murdering wife Lynette Simms, Chris Dawson is back before the courts, pleading not guilty to carnal knowledge of a schoolgirl in 1980, when he was her sports teacher.

Hedley Thomas, Claire Harvey, David Murray, Matthew Condon, Kristen Amiet and Jasper Leak return with Season 2 of our acclaimed podcast The Teacher’s Trial.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.