UK survivor of Canadian poison seller says he exploited her despair

Key Points:

• Elisabeth Belien, a British survivor of Canadian poison seller Kenneth Law, testified in court about how he exploited her vulnerability by selling her toxic chemicals when she was 23 and struggling with mental health issues.
• Law has admitted to 14 counts of aiding suicides in Canada, with nearly 80 deaths in the UK linked to him, but as part of a plea deal, he will not face charges in the UK; impact statements from victims' families are being read during sentencing.
• Authorities revealed Law sold about 1,200 packages of toxic substances worldwide, primarily through online suicide forums, with a quarter sent to the UK; his arrest followed a multinational investigation involving at least 11 law enforcement agencies.
• Family members of victims, including parents of British teenagers Henry Tucker and Ashleigh Harris, shared emotional impact statements highlighting the devastating effects of Law’s actions and the preventable nature of some deaths.
• The sentencing hearing continues, with survivors and families urging recognition of the need for mental health support rather than enabling access to lethal means.