Man Profited from Vulnerable People's Despair
A 33-year-old man from Wrexham is facing a prison sentence after he admitted to selling a lethal chemical online for £100 per unit, leading to the deaths of two people. Miles Cross operated a sinister business through an internet discussion forum, using a pseudonym to hide his identity.
Cross set up a system where individuals could order the chemical directly from him by scanning a QR code. He instructed them to make a payment of £100 into his bank account before he dispatched the substance through the postal system.
Court Proceedings and Victims
At Mold Crown Court in North Wales on Tuesday, November 18, Cross pleaded guilty to four counts of intentionally doing an act capable of encouraging or assisting the suicide of another. The charges relate to his actions in August and September of 2024.
In one specific case, he provided the chemical to Shubhreet Singh, a 26-year-old who died in West Yorkshire last year. The other three counts involve individuals whose identities are protected by reporting restrictions.
Police Investigation and Condemnation
North Wales Police launched a complex investigation after discovering amounts of the chemical and other related items during a search of Cross's home on Llys Nantgarw, Wrexham, in January. Analysis of his seized electronic devices definitively linked him to the online forum, social media profiles, and the bank account used for the transactions.
Detective Superintendent Chris Bell of North Wales Police stated that Cross exploited his victims in their most desperate moments, profiting from their vulnerability and mental health struggles. He expressed hope that the guilty plea would spare the victims' families the ordeal of a trial.
Alison Storey, a specialist prosecutor with the Crown Prosecution Service, echoed this sentiment, saying Cross's actions were purely for financial gain and that he made the process of obtaining the chemical dangerously easy. She emphasised the CPS's commitment to holding such offenders accountable.
Sentencing and Ongoing Safeguarding
Miles Cross is scheduled to be sentenced at Mold Crown Court on January 7. The case has highlighted critical issues around the safeguarding of vulnerable individuals online. Authorities have reaffirmed their dedication to working with partner agencies to provide support and prevent similar harm in the future.
