Man pleads guilty to selling chemicals online which led to two suicides

A man has pleaded guilty to selling a substance online to assist people committing suicide.

Miles Cross, 33, from Llys Nantgarw, Wrexham, admitted four charges of intentionally doing an act capable of encouraging or assisting the suicide of another.

Two deaths are being investigated in connection with four packages containing a substance sold online.

The CPS said Cross set up a business selling the chemical on an online forum where he interacted under a pseudonym.

He joined the site in July 2024, where he posted a QR code which allowed people to order the chemical directly from him and pay via his bank account.

Cross received payments of £100 from four people who he then sent the chemicals to through the post.

Cross’ alleged offenses are said to have taken place on August 9, August 22, August 26 and September 13 last year.

One of these cases is Shubhreet Singh who died, aged 26, last year in Leeds.

A reporting restriction on identifying the other three people named in the charges has been put in place today.

Prosecutor Nick Johnson KC said the reporting restrictions are due to the ‘very significant sensitivities’ in the case, with ‘potentially serious consequences to those (three) people if those names are reported.’

Cross’ arrest in January 2025 came after North Wales Police’s investigation into a business selling a substance via an online forum to assist with suicide.

When police searched his address, officers found amounts of the chemical and other paraphernalia.

His seized devices linked him to the forum, social media profiles and the bank account the people sent money to.

DCS Chris Bell said: ‘Cross took advantage and exploited his victims in their most desperate moments, profiting off their vulnerability and mental illnesses.

‘I hope today’s admission provides the victims and their families with some peace of mind and relief that they are now spared the ordeal of a trial.

‘My thoughts, and those of the whole investigation team, remain with them today.

‘This has been a highly complex and sensitive investigation over the past 10 months, and I want to acknowledge the courage of the witnesses who played an integral part in the investigation during such difficult circumstances.

‘I want to thank my team who built a thorough and detailed case that resulted in Cross admitting all four offenses, and a number of key partners to which we are grateful, including the Crown Prosecution Service, The National Crime Agency and colleagues from other forces.

‘Safeguarding vulnerable individuals is a priority for us, and we continue to work closely with partner agencies to provide support and prevent harm wherever possible.’

Alison Storey, Specialist Prosecutor with the CPS Special Crime Division, said: ‘Miles Cross preyed on four people in a distressed state and knowingly provided a substance intended to end their lives.

‘His actions were purely for financial gain, and he made the process of ordering the chemical online easy and accessible.

‘This case is a stark reminder of the dangers posed by those who aim to exploit vulnerable individuals online. The CPS will always aim to hold offenders to account when they illegally seek to encourage or assist a suicide.

‘Our thoughts remain with the families of the victims, and we hope this outcome brings some measure of justice to them.’

When discussing Cross’ sentence, the judge said: ‘There is an inevitability about the sentence – it’s just a question of how long but he will be given credit for pleading guilty today.’

Cross will be sentenced at Mold Crown Court on Wednesday, January 7.

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