Canadian man allegedly linked to over 100 British deaths will not face justice in UK
A Canadian man accused of selling lethal substances linked to the deaths of more than 100 Britons will not face justice in the UK, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has confirmed.
Kenneth Law is expected to appear in court in Ontario, Canada, on Friday, accused of assisting suicide for allegedly selling 1,200 packages in 40 countries, including the UK.
In the investigation conducted by the National Crime Agency (NCA) into Canada-based websites selling substances to aid suicide, it was revealed that 286 people in England received packages and this led to the death of 112 people.
But despite prosecutors in Ontario taking Law to court, the NCA and CPS have written to the bereaved families saying they will not seek to extradite the 60-year-old to the UK after legal proceedings in Canada are over.
In the letter sent on Thursday, the CPS and NCA also said Canadian authorities had confirmed Law was expected to plead guilty to charges of assisting suicide there.
The letter, seen by the Press Association, said: “After careful consideration, we agreed that Mr Law should be sentenced for the full offense he committed in Canada within a single sentencing period. “This approach is not uncommon in cases involving serious crimes that cross international borders.
“We recognize that this may be painful to hear and that some victims and bereaved families may have hoped to see a separate inquest in England and Wales. This difficult decision was only reached after detailed consideration of all available options.”
CPS and NCA also said in the letter that it was determined that Law sent a total of 330 products to the UK.
Families of those killed have now called for a public inquiry. The sister of Aimee Walton, a 21-year-old from Southampton who died in 2022, said the “doors have been closed” to families seeking justice.
“If our country is not going to prosecute anyone for these deaths, it can at least conduct a proper investigation into how they were allowed to happen.”
Adele Zeynep Walton said: “The question for our country is even simpler: who here will examine how the British state allowed this to happen and what they will do to ensure no other family has to go through this?
“A foreign criminal trial cannot answer that. Only a legitimate public inquiry can.”
David Parfett, father of philosophy student Thomas Parfett, who died aged 22 after committing suicide in Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey, said: “I’m angry but not surprised.
“For months we have been told that the system works and the current measures are sufficient, but it is not.
“If our country is not going to prosecute anyone for these deaths, it can at least conduct a proper investigation into how they were allowed to happen.”
The law has also been investigated by police in the United States, Italy, Australia and New Zealand.
Andy Burrows, chief executive of the Molly Rose Foundation, said: “Bereaved families have been campaigning tirelessly for Kenneth Law to be held accountable in the UK and to be told on the eve of his trial in Canada that he will not be tried here is a bitter blow.
“Families across the country have been affected by Law’s crimes and they should be entitled to full justice in the UK.
“As long as the pro-suicide forum remains online and this substance remains available in the UK and across borders, more vulnerable people are at risk.”
The CPS and NCA have been approached for comment.
If you are experiencing feelings of distress or finding it difficult to cope, you can speak to Samaritans confidentially on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org or visit . Samaritans Website to find details of your nearest branch.
If you are a U.S. resident and you or someone you know needs mental health help right now, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This is a free, confidential crisis helpline available to anyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
If you are in another country you can go www.befrienders.org To find a helpline near you.
