Speaking to reporters outside court after the verdict,defence solicitor Greg Walsh said his client was “not well” and suffers from cognitive and physical problems.
“He’s been diagnosed with dementia,” he said.
On the first day of his trial in May,the court heard Dawson suffered from a major depressive illness and his “present health conditions” could require particular sitting hours and breaks. Dawson,a former teacher and Newtown Jets rugby league player,arrived each day with a distinct limp.
“I think in respect of sentencing,of course,his problems in relation to brain atrophy[are] a very important consideration because jail will be much harder for him,” Walsh said.
Advanced age is also commonly raised as a subjective matter at sentencing for older offenders.
Regarding bail,Walsh said that the judge had not set a sentencing date and “it may well be that I don’t proceed with that application at this stage”.