Thayne Forbes

Sir John Thayne Forbes (born 28 June 1938) is a British retired judge and barrister. As a High Court judge, he presided over the trial of Harold Shipman who was convicted of 15 murders in 2000 and subsequently sentenced to life imprisonment. Shipman is now recognised as one of the most prolific serial killers in history. He led the Al-Sweady Inquiry, a five-year public enquiry that reported in 2014.

Early life Forbes was born of Scottish parents on the Isle of Wight on 28 June 1938. He was educated at Winchester College, a public school in Winchester, Hampshire, and at Wolverton Grammar School, a co-educational state grammar school in Wolverton, Buckinghamshire.

Military service From 1963 to 1966, Forbes served as an Instructor Lieutenant in the Royal Navy.

Legal career Forbes was called to the bar in 1966. In 1984, he was appointed Queen's Counsel (QC). On 13 March 1986, he was appointed a Recorder, a part-time judge.

On 5 June 1990, he was appointed a Circuit Judge. From 1990 to 1993, he was an Official Referee of the Technology and Construction Court. He presided over the trial of Harold Shipman, a serial killer who was convicted 2000. Between 2001 and 2004, he was Presiding Judge of the Technology and Construction Court. He retired from the High Court in January 2009. On 25 November 2009, Forbes was appointed chairman of the public inquiry. The report was published in December 2014 and concluded that the allegations of torture and murder were untrue.

Personal life In 1960, Forbes married Celia Joan Elderton. Together they have one daughter and two sons.