John Heath (1736–1816) was a judge chiefly in criminal trials, in which he earned a reputation for severe sentencing.
Born in Exeter to a family of merchants and fullers, Heath attended London's Westminster School from 1748 until 1754, when he went up to Christ Church, Oxford, graduating B.A.
Heath possessed great legal and general knowledge, and he paid scrupulous attention to evidence and argument.
[2] He applied this way of thinking consistently, earning a lasting reputation for severe sentencing.
Heath continued working up to his death, regularly riding out to court from his home in Hayes, Middlesex.