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Sir John Arthur Dalziel Owen, (22 November 1925 – 9 December 2010) was a prominent British judge, who took charge of numerous important cases at the Old Bailey during the late twentieth century. Among the trials he oversaw were the conviction of farmer Tony Martin for murder after he fataly shot a burglar, the prosecution of the Duke of Manchester for fraud, several trials of IRA members and most significantly the trial that overturned the common law position that made rape within marriage legal.

Owen was born in Stockport, Cheshire to a strongly Anglican family, retaining his faith throughout his life. He was educated at Solihull School and after leaving joined the 2nd King Edward VII’s Own Gurkha Rifles as a second lieutenant. He served in British India immediately prior to independance, which he supported, and on one occassion diffused a roadblock manned by virgins dressed in white by having one of his soldiers expose themselves. After independence he returned to Britain and married Valerie Evans while reading law at Brasenose College, Oxford. After qualification he was admitted to Gray's Inn and worked as a barrister based in Birmingham, during which time he was involved in several IRA members and faced death threats as a result.

In 1970 he became a judge and served as Recorder of the Crown Court until 1984, when he became a circuit judge at the Old Bailey, and two years later was elevated to the High Court, Queen’s Bench Division.

Notes

• Category:1925 births]]
• Category:2010 deaths]]
• Category:British judges]]
• Category:Knights Bachelor]]
• Category:Old Silhillians]]
• Category:Alumni of Brasenose College, Oxford]]
• Category:British Indian Army officers]]
• Category:Members of Gray's Inn]]