David Thomas QC 1938-2013

It is with sadness that the Faculty notes the death on 30 September 2013 of David Thomas QC. David was a student at Queens' College and became a member of the Faculty on his appointment as an Assistant Director of Research in the Institute of Criminology from 1 January 1971, soon after the publication of his path-breaking book "Principles of Sentencing" (1970). He was appointed to a University Lectureship from 1 October 1976, took his LLD in 1983, and retired in 2003 as Reader in the Institute of Criminology. David was a Fellow of Trinity Hall from 1971. After his retirement, David remained actively engaged in the life of the college and in running courses on sentencing for judges.

In 2009 Sir Igor Judge, as Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales, described David in these terms:

"David Thomas is the most improbable revolutionary you could ever meet. Yet he has revolutionised the approach of the courts in this country to sentencing. It has been a remarkable achievement, the product of an intensely inquiring mind, close and meticulous analysis of impenetrable statutory language, all accompanied by lively wit and warm good humour. That perhaps is why you will never find a judge who takes the slightest umbrage at anything David say or writes. To the contrary, we want to hear and read him."

David's funeral will take place at the Cambridge Crematorium on Wednesday 16th October 2013 at 2.15pm. The family would prefer donations to a charity rather than flowers. If you wish to make a donation, please direct it to Addenbrookes Charitable Trust, Fund 9846 (ACT on Cancer).

There is a reception in the Master's Lodge, Trinity Hall after the funeral. Please contact Louise Ovens, PA to the Master, if you would like further details (tel: 01223 332540, email: master@trinhall.cam.ac.uk).