Man sentenced to prison for selling assisted suicide drugs

A UK man has been sentenced to prison for selling assisted suicide drugs online, resulting in the deaths of two people.

Key Takeaways:

• Miles Cross was sentenced to 14 years in prison for selling lethal drugs online. At least two people died as a result.

• Cross sold the substances via an online forum for £100.

• Some of his victims have spoken out, detailing feelings of depression when they ordered the substances.

• The UK is currently considering the legalization of assisted suicide, which also targets vulnerable individuals like Cross's victims.

The Details:

Miles Cross, 33, pleaded guilty to four counts of intentionally doing an act capable of encouraging or assisting suicide. He was sentenced to 14 years in prison for his crimes.

In August and September of 2024, Cross mailed a fatal chemical to four individuals whom he had met online. As Live Action News previously reported, Cross established a business using a pseudonym on an internet forum. He created a QR code, which enabled people to purchase the toxic substances, paying £100 each for Cross to mail them the poison.

READ: Study: Assisted suicide can be painful, prolonged and inhumane

"This is a rare and extremely serious case involving you sending [a substance] out to individuals who were distressed and in contact with you in a suicide forum," Judge Rhys Rowlands told Cross during sentencing. "Tragically two individuals died as a result of your actions."

Zoom In:

There were two victims who committed suicide using Cross's substance, including 29-year-old Shubreet Singh. Another victim testified that she, too, had ordered the substance from Cross, but chose not to use it, saying she was "in a better place." In a victim impact statement, she noted it was "too easy" to obtain the poison from Cross.

According to the BBC, another individual has also spoken out since Cross's arrest, noting they felt "vulnerable, overwhelmed and struggled silently" when they sought the toxic substance from Cross.

"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," the person said, adding, "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."

Gareth Evans, the assistant chief constable, also noted how Cross was preying on "vulnerable" victims.

“Even though the actual money that exchanged hands was not great … [Cross] sought to take advantage of people’s vulnerability," he said. "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."

The Big Picture:

Clearly, as Evans noted, the individuals who sought the suicide drugs from Cross were in a vulnerable state, with their statements indicating they were likely depressed. Rightly, Cross was sentenced for his crimes.

At the same time, members of Britain's Parliament are currently deliberating a bill that would legalize the suicide deaths of vulnerable individuals like those targeted by Cross.

The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill would legalize assisted suicide for those with a diagnosis of six months or less to live. Despite the fact that numerous individuals and groups have warned that such legislation would unfairly target vulnerable populations — and data has shown that most people seek assisted suicide because they are depressed — the bill has already passed the House of Commons and is now being considered in the House of Lords.

The Bottom Line:

Facilitating the suicide death of another person is always immoral, despite what any legislation may state. The UK Court rightly recognized Cross's actions as a crime against vulnerable people. It's time for its lawmakers to follow suit.