Kenneth Law, a Canadian man who sold lethal chemicals online with instructions on how to use them, has pleaded guilty to 14 counts of assisting suicide in Ontario, as families of British victims call for him to be prosecuted in the UK over 79 deaths.
Law appeared in a packed courtroom in Newmarket, Ontario, on Friday to enter the plea after prosecutors agreed to withdraw 14 murder charges. Sentencing is expected in September. He admitted charges relating to Canadian victims, but his online operation allegedly reached more than 100 people in dozens of countries, including the UK, the US, Italy, Australia and New Zealand.
“Kenneth Law, who sold toxic chemicals online from Canada, pleaded guilty to 14 counts of aiding suicide. UK families want him charged over 79 British deaths linked to his packages.”
According to the National Crime Agency (NCA), Law sold around 1,200 packages of toxic chemicals across 40 countries. In the UK, police have linked him to 79 deaths. Families of those who died have expressed anger that Law will not face trial in Britain, with some saying his online business made it 'too easy' to obtain suicide methods.
Among the British victims were people from across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. South Wales Police and other forces have been involved in investigations. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has faced questions about whether charges could be brought against Law in the UK.
During the court hearing, prosecutors read harrowing details from the deaths of Law's victims. Some packages were labelled as 'chemicals' and were shipped through regular postal services. Families told the BBC that Law should 'also be charged in the UK' and criticised the ease with which he was able to sell the substances.
Law's sentencing in Canada is scheduled for September 2026. Meanwhile, the NCA continues to investigate the full extent of his network in the UK. It remains unclear whether any UK charges will be pursued, but pressure is mounting from bereaved families and MPs.
What This Means For You
- Families and bereaved: Those who lost loved ones may feel justice has not been served in the UK. The case highlights gaps in cross-border prosecution of online crimes. - Online safety campaigners: The sale of dangerous substances online has raised concerns about regulation of e-commerce platforms and international policing. - General public: The case underscores the risks of unregulated websites selling potentially lethal products. The NCA advises reporting any suspicious online sellers to Action Fraud.