Elisabeth Belien, a British woman who survived after being sold toxic chemicals by Canadian poison seller Kenneth Law, faced him in court on Wednesday. She told his four-day sentencing hearing in Ontario, Canada, that she was at her lowest ebb when she purchased the substances at the age of 23.
Ms Belien stated that she had physically recovered after receiving an antidote from medics, but revealed she suffered "survivor's guilt" upon learning from police that others had died. She said, "I had struggled with my mental health for a long time before this. Kenneth Law made it a lot easier to act on that despair."
Law has admitted to 14 counts of aiding suicides in Canada, having met individuals in online suicide forums. Authorities say he sold approximately 1,200 packages of toxic substances to recipients in 40 countries, with roughly a quarter of these packages sent to the UK. Almost 80 deaths in the UK have been linked to him.
As part of a plea deal with Canadian authorities, Law will not face charges in the UK or in connection with any British deaths. However, impact statements from the families of victims, including those of British citizens Tom Parfett, Henry Tucker, and Ashleigh Harris, are being read during the sentencing hearing this week. The hearing continues.