Man jailed for selling assisted suicide chemicals online

Miles Cross pleaded guilty to four counts of intentionally committing an act capable of encouraging or assisting suicide

A man who admitted selling chemicals online to help people end their own lives has been sentenced to 14 years in prison after an investigation thought to be the "first of its kind in the UK".

Miles Cross, 33, from Wrexham previously pleaded guilty to four counts of intentionally doing an act capable of encouraging or assisting suicide.

He admitted sending a fatal chemical to four people between August and September 2024 who he had met on an online forum.

One of the four people, 29-year-old Shubreet Singh, from Leeds, who paid £100 for a package, has since died.

North Wales Police raided Cross's home in January 2025 after Thames Valley Police, who were investigating another case of suicide, came across his name during "financial investigations".

At his home officers found quantities of the same chemical he had sent through the post along with other paraphernalia.

Sentencing Cross, Judge Rhys Rowlands said "This is a rare and extremely serious case involving you sending ( a substance) out to individuals who were distressed and in a contact with you in a suicide forum."

"Tragically two individuals died as a result of your actions," he added.

The court heard from the prosecution who said Cross advertised the drugs on an online forum which discussed suicide and suicide methods, with anyone wishing to join having to provide a detailed explanation about their reasons.

The court also heard that the encouragement of suicide is not permitted and sale of drugs is not permitted.

The prosecution said Cross supplied the chemicals to those who asked for them, at a cost of £100, adding that the offence involved a financial benefit.

The prosecution went on to say he had joined the forum to research methods for his own use after suffering from "emotional deterioration" which led to gambling, alcohol and sedative use.

Cross described the forum as "a bible", telling probation officers he had sourced the chemicals before receiving two tubs of a substance which he would use to "help others end their lives".

The prosecution did not accept this, adding that Cross had set up his venture and bought the substance before he joined the forum.

They said he also ordered other drugs which have also been linked to suicide.

When he joined the forum, the prosecution said Cross posted a message and a picture of the chemicals saying he "finally had everything".

He also said things were "on my terms now" and that it was the "only relief I've had in a long time".

By 2 August 2024, Cross had opened an account on the website where he directed the victims to pay him for the chemicals, according to the prosecution.

He had also purchased 100 zip foil bags, which were later recovered by police at his property. Four of the bags were missing.

All four packages sent had Cross's return address on them and one of the foil bags was found at the scene of Singh's death.

On her phone, there was a screenshot of a conversation between her and Cross where he asked if she needed help sourcing the drug, to which she replied that she did.

Another screenshot showed that she had made a payment to him.

Since his arrest, one of the people who bought packages from Cross has spoken out to warn others who may vulnerable to seek help from professionals instead of using online forums.

The individual, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said when they purchased the substance they felt "vulnerable, overwhelmed and struggled silently".

"This experience caused me significant emotional pain.

"I am no longer in that state of mind, but I have had to work hard to heal and move forward in a healthier direction.

"The fact this was so easy makes me think, had I not come to my senses, I wouldn't be where I am today," they added.

The individual said: "Although he does not know me and may not fully understand the impact of his actions, the substance he advertised, sold and sent me could have ended my life, and seriously impacted on my family.

"I hope my words can be used to support others and to ensure safety for those who might be in similar situations."

A first of its kind in the UK

Assistant Chief Constable Gareth Evans said the force hoped that the sentencing would "alert vulnerable people to predators" like Cross.

"It has been a unique investigation and I believe it is the first prosecution of its kind in the UK involving someone using an online forum to target vulnerable people," he said.

North Wales Police worked alongside Ofcom to close down the forum used by Cross to search for victims.

The force added that experts were also brought in from the National Crime Agency and the NHS, and it also spoke with Samaritans and Ofcom "who have been successful in reducing people's access to certain forums where we think people could be harmed".