Chris Dawson To Report Daily To Police, Not Travel More Than 20km From Home As Part Of Strict Bail Conditions

Chris Dawson has been granted strict conditional bail this afternoon, following an appearance via video link in Central Local Court.

Mr Dawson, dressed in prison greens, sat hunched while Magistrate Robert Williams reviewed the bail application made last Friday, with Mr Dawson shaking his head as once again the charge of murder was read out.

He looked down for most of the proceedings, speaking only to confirm his name and shaking his head firmly as the Crown's case against him regarding the murder of his ex-wife Lyn Dawson was summarised by the Magistrate.

While the Magistrate acknowledge the strength of the prosecution's case against Mr Dawson, it was determined that he was not a threat to society and would therefore be granted bail with strict conditions.

This includes:

• good behaviour;
• no contact at all - either himself or through a third party - with any person who made a statement to police;
• daily reporting to Maroochydore police station;
• reside in his Coolum address;
• surrender his passport and not apply for another passport or travel documents;
• not to travel within one kilometre of an international point of departure;
• not to travel further than 20km from his residential address, except to attend court;
• post $1.5 million in surety.

The $1.5 million includes $750,000 from a mortgage taken out by his brother Peter Dawson on the Dural property Peter and his wife own, as well equity from the Coolum property that Chris Dawson and his current wife own.

The Magistrate said that the decision to grant bail was determined as Mr Dawson "has had prior opportunities to leave the jurisdiction, however he has remained".

It was also noted that the risk of releasing him could be managed through the strict conditions.

"I am sure that he would be very relieved that he has been granted conditional bail," Greg Walsh, Chris' lawyer, told a media scrum after the decision was made.

Chris' brother Peter Dawson and lawyer Greg Walsh.

"This is an extraordinary case and there is a very long road to go.

"The brief of evidence could be something in the order of five to ten thousand pages, so there's a lot of work to be done."