John Smyth (barrister)

John Smyth
QC
Born
John Jackson Smyth

(1941-06-27)27 June 1941
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Died11 August 2018(2018-08-11) (aged 77)
Cape Town, South Africa
Alma materTrinity Hall, Cambridge
OccupationBarrister
Known forAbusive behaviour
SpouseJosephine Anne Leggott
Children4

John Jackson Smyth, QC (27 June 1941 – 11 August 2018) was a British barrister and recorder, who was also involved in Christian ministry. In early 2017, reports emerged that he had performed sadistic beatings on schoolboys and young men who regarded him as a spiritual father.[1] Anglican Bishop Andrew Watson disclosed that, as a young man, he was a victim.[2] Smyth died while under investigation, so criminal charges were never brought against him, but an independent review concluded that he abused at least 13 people, and the abuse was also emotional and spiritual, as well as physical.[3]

  1. ^ Laville, Sandra (2 February 2017). "John Smyth: the go-to barrister for Mary Whitehouse". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 February 2017.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference :1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference :0 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).