Man charged with encouraging or assisting suicide after alleged online sale of chemical compound

A 33-year-old man from Wrexham has been charged with encouraging or assisting suicide after prosecutors said he sold a chemical compound through an online forum.

Miles Cross was charged with four offences of encouraging or assisting the suicide of another person, contrary to section 2(1) of the Suicide Act 1961, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said. He is due to appear at Wrexham Magistrates' Court on October 16.

Malcolm McHaffie, head of the CPS's special crime division, said prosecutors worked to establish that there was sufficient evidence to bring the case to court and that it was in the public interest to pursue criminal proceedings. "We have decided to prosecute Miles Cross with four offences of encouraging or assisting suicide following a police investigation into a business selling a substance via an online forum," McHaffie said. "We have worked closely with North Wales Police as they carried out their investigation."

North Wales Police launched the probe after enquiries into a business reportedly selling a substance through an online forum, leading to the charges now brought by the CPS. The investigation and subsequent charging decision centre on allegations that the substance was supplied in a way that encouraged or assisted suicide.

Encouraging or assisting suicide is an offence under section 2(1) of the Suicide Act 1961. The CPS statement said its prosecutors had considered the available evidence and public interest factors before authorising the prosecution.

Cross's first court appearance is scheduled at Wrexham Magistrates' Court on October 16, where the charges will be formally read and any initial administrative matters dealt with. The case will proceed through the criminal courts in line with standard procedures; no further details about the alleged incidents have been disclosed by the CPS or police.

No plea has been recorded and Cross is entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. North Wales Police and the CPS did not provide additional comment on the identities of any alleged victims or the precise nature of the substance involved.