A 60-year-old man, Kenneth Law, has pleaded guilty in Canada to 14 counts of aiding suicides after selling toxic chemicals online to people across the world.

The guilty pleas were entered in an Ontario court and form part of an agreement with prosecutors, who withdrew more serious murder charges previously brought against him.

Authorities say Law, a former chef, distributed approximately 1,200 packages of poisonous substances to individuals in around 40 countries, including the United Kingdom, often making contact through online suicide forums.The case has had significant international reach, with Law linked to the deaths of numerous individuals, including an estimated 79 Britons.He is also associated with deaths in Scotland and Northern Ireland.In the UK alone, court documents indicate that he sent around 330 packages to 286 recipients.

Despite this, UK prosecutors confirmed that he will not face charges in Britain due to legal and procedural complexities, including challenges related to extradition and the principle of double jeopardy.

The Crown Prosecution Service stated that Canadian proceedings will take UK victims into account during sentencing, describing this as the most effective and timely route to justice.Prosecutors also noted that extradition could have taken years and may not have succeeded.

Families of victims have expressed anger and frustration, with some calling for a public inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the deaths and the broader response by authorities.

Law, who was arrested in 2023 following a multinational investigation involving multiple law enforcement agencies, remains subject to sentencing in Canada, where aiding suicide carries a potential maximum penalty of 14 years in prison.