John Abernethy (judge)

John Birley Abernethy was born in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales in 1947. His father, Robert Neil Abernethy, was a bank officer; and his mother was a registered nurse. ==Career==

After leaving high school, In 1965, Abernethy joined the (then) Petty Sessions Branch of the New South Wales Department of Attorney General and Justice, where he worked until he became a Stipendiary Magistrate in 1984. Abernethy presided over the inquest into the death of Tegan Lane, the daughter of Australian water polo player Keli Lane. Post-retirement Following his retirement, Abernethy has commented on the car pursuits by the New South Wales Police Force, arguing in favour of them to prevent the escape of criminals. ==Legal issues==

In 2005, Abernethy was detected to have exceeded the legal speed limit of 40 km/h while driving in a school zone, resulting in the suspension of his driver's licence. ==Personal life==

Although born to and raised in a Presbyterian family, Abernethy left the church as a young man. In later life, he converted to Roman Catholicism. Abernethy lives in West Pennant Hills, New South Wales. ==References==