‘Teacher’s Pet’ journalist takes stand in Chris Dawson trial
The journalist whose podcast, The Teacher’s Pet, brought global attention to Lynette Dawson’s disappearance has taken the stand in Chris Dawson’s murder trial, telling the court he wasn’t out to “condemn” Mr Dawson.
Hedley Thomas, a journalist with The Australian, is one of the final witnesses the prosecution will call in the Supreme Court trial, during which Mr Dawson has denied killing his wife Lynette 40 years ago, per news.com.au.
Ms Dawson’s disappearance from her home on Sydney’s northern beaches in January, 1982, was the subject of investigation in Mr Thomas’ podcast, which was downloaded 60 million times internationally.
Mr Thomas began investigating the case in 2017 and spoke with Ms Dawson’s family about seeking “justice”.
“Justice for Lyn meant to you, didn’t it, the prosecution of Christoper Dawson?” Pauline David, Mr Dawson’s barrister, asked Mr Thomas on Monday.
“Yes, I think that that is a fair call, yes,” Mr Thomas answered.
Under Ms David’s questioning, Mr Thomas said he hadn’t met Mr Dawson but had formed an opinion of him after interviewing those close to the case and reading material from the two inquests into Ms Dawson’s disappearance.
“I don’t think you need to meet someone to form a view about them,” Mr Thomas said, after the court was told of an interview Mr Thomas had with 60 Minutes where he described Mr Dawson as “despicable”, “severely narcissistic” and “dangerous”.
“People can form views about tyrants, for argument’s sake, without ever having met them, study materials, talk to people and form a view.
“At that stage it was my view and it hasn’t changed.”
However, Mr Thomas denied that the podcast amounted to an attempt to “incite evidence” against Mr Dawson, saying he would have broadcasted evidence that contradicted his theory that Mr Dawson murdered his wife.
“There was no doubt from the outset of the podcast it was going to be an exercise in condemning Christopher Dawson?” Ms David asked.
“No, I disagree,” Mr Thomas said.
“If I had uncovered or received information from anybody that disrupted, changed the narrative, that disputed the findings by coroners or anyone, that would have become a very significant part of the podcast.”
As the case draws to a close, the court heard on Monday that Mr Thomas would be one of the final witnesses called by the prosecution, which argues that Ms Dawson was killed on or about January 8, 1982.
Mr Dawson argues that on the morning of January 9, 1982, he drove Ms Dawson to a Mona Vale bus stop so she could go shopping, and that she later failed to meet him at the Northbridge baths, where he worked as a part-time lifeguard.
According to Mr Dawson, Ms Dawson called him from the baths, telling him she needed time away.
His version of events were said to be corroborated by a woman - known for legal reasons as KB - who worked at the baths and was interviewed by former detective Damian Loone in March 2001.
Mr Loone didn’t take a statement from her, and told the court that he didn’t turn a blind eye to evidence that supported Mr Dawson’s account.
He disagreed that KB told him she remembered the phone call.
“I want to suggest your failure to take a statement from (KB) was consistent with your approach to the investigation, which was that if inquiries supported Christopher Dawson you would not take a statement,” Ms David said.
“That’s incorrect,” Mr Loone replied
The trial continues under Justice Ian Harrison.
Image: Nine