A Canadian man has formally admitted causing the deaths of 73 victims in England and Wales.

Following agreement from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), National Crime Agency (NCA), and Canadian partners, Kenneth Law has today pleaded guilty to 14 counts of aiding and abetting suicide in Canada.

Every victim who died as a result of using products supplied to them by Kenneth Law in England and Wales has been formally recognised and named as part of the Canadian proceedings today.

The Canadian court will now sentence Mr Law on the basis that he distributed lethal products internationally, knowing they were likely to be used to end lives.

Jo Jakymec, Chief Crown Prosecutor for SEOCID International London and South East Division, said:

“A prosecution in England and Wales following extradition carried significant risk and was far from certain. By working with Canadian authorities, we have secured an outcome that recognises our victims here and ensures Kenneth Law is held accountable.

“This was not a decision taken lightly, but it is the approach that best delivers justice while avoiding the real risk that the harm caused in England and Wales would never have been recognised in any court.

“While no court hearing can undo the immense suffering caused to each victim and their families, this resolution ensures that the scale of offending affecting England and Wales is formally recognised and will be reflected in the sentence imposed.”

This process follows an unprecedented investigation in both scale and complexity, involving every police force across England and Wales alongside international partners. 

The decision on how best to proceed was made jointly by the CPS and the National Crime Agency after careful consideration of all available legal routes.

Extradition:

A key factor in that decision was the significant risk associated with extradition. 

By the point at which an extradition request could realistically have been made, Law would already have been sentenced in Canada for the same conduct alleged in the extradition request. This is because the evidence that his products were sent to the UK was already included in the Canadian case. There was therefore a real risk that extradition would have been refused. 

If that happened, no UK victims would have been recognised or seen justice done in any criminal process, either here or in Canada.

The pleas entered and admissions made today ensure a certain outcome, avoid the real risk of no justice ever being achieved for UK victims, and ensure that the harm caused to them and their families is fully acknowledged in a court of law.

The Canadian sentencing process will also allow families to make victim impact statements if they choose to, ensuring their voices are heard and that the human cost of Mr Law’s actions is fully understood by the court.