On November 18, 2025, at Mold Crown Court in North Wales, Miles Cross, a 33-year-old man from Llys Nantgarw, Wrexham, pleaded guilty to four counts of intentionally doing an act capable of encouraging or assisting the suicide of another. The charges stem from a harrowing case that has gripped both law enforcement and the public, highlighting the dangers of online exploitation and the vulnerability of those in mental distress.
According to BBC News, Cross set up what prosecutors described as an online business in July 2024, joining a discussion forum under a pseudonym. There, he posted a QR code that allowed users to order a chemical substance directly from him and pay via his bank account. Over a period spanning August 9 to September 13, 2024, Cross received £100 payments from four individuals, mailing out the chemical in packages that would later become the focus of a major police investigation.
The consequences of Cross’s actions were devastating. Two deaths are currently being investigated in connection with the four packages he sent. One of the victims, Shubhreet Singh, a 26-year-old from Leeds, died in West Yorkshire after receiving the chemical on August 22, 2024. Reporting restrictions prevent the identification of the other three individuals involved, but authorities confirmed that their cases are central to the ongoing inquiry. While three of these individuals are alive, the shadow cast by the events remains long and troubling.
Cross’s operation was not a fleeting enterprise. As Sky News reported, he had meticulously set up the process to be as seamless as possible, making it easy and accessible for vulnerable individuals to obtain the lethal substance. Payments were tracked directly to his bank account, and his interactions on the forum were traced back to seized devices found during a police search at his Wrexham address in January 2025. Officers also discovered quantities of the chemical and various paraphernalia, further linking Cross to his online activities.
North Wales Police Detective Superintendent Chris Bell, who led the investigation, spoke candidly about the complexity and emotional toll of the case. “Cross took advantage and exploited his victims in their most desperate moments, profiting off their vulnerability and mental illnesses,” Bell stated, as quoted by Metro. “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.”
The investigation, which lasted approximately ten months, required cooperation from multiple agencies, including the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), the National Crime Agency, and local police forces. The courage of the witnesses who came forward during difficult circumstances was also acknowledged by authorities. Bell emphasized, “This has been a highly complex and sensitive investigation… I want to acknowledge the courage of the witnesses who played an integral part in the investigation during such difficult circumstances.”
Alison Storey, specialist prosecutor with the CPS Special Crime Division, underscored the calculated nature of Cross’s actions. “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,” she said, as reported by Sky News. Storey described the case as “a stark reminder of the dangers posed by those who aim to exploit vulnerable individuals online,” reiterating the CPS’s commitment to holding offenders accountable when they illegally seek to encourage or assist suicide. She added, “Our thoughts remain with the families of the victims, and we hope this outcome brings some measure of justice to them.”
Cross’s appearance in court was brief but significant. Dressed in a black suit and tie, he spoke only to confirm his date of birth and address before pleading guilty to each charge. Judge Rhys Rowlands, presiding over the hearing, indicated that a custodial sentence was inevitable, stating, “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 is scheduled to be sentenced at Mold Crown Court on January 7, 2026.
The case has reignited concerns about the ease with which vulnerable individuals can access dangerous substances online and the responsibility of those who facilitate such transactions. The authorities have been clear in their condemnation. “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,” said Detective Superintendent Bell. The investigation’s ten-month duration underscores both the complexity of tracking digital footprints and the determination of law enforcement to bring perpetrators to justice.
As the legal process moves toward sentencing, the families of the victims and the broader community are left grappling with the consequences. The reporting restrictions placed on the names of three of the individuals involved highlight the sensitivity and potential repercussions for those affected. Prosecutor Nick Johnson KC explained that these restrictions were necessary due to “very significant sensitivities” and the “potentially serious consequences” if those names were made public.
For many, the case is a chilling example of how online platforms can become conduits for harm, especially when exploited by individuals seeking profit. The collaboration between North Wales Police, the CPS, the National Crime Agency, and other partners has been widely praised for its thoroughness and the support it provided to those involved. Authorities hope the outcome will serve as both a deterrent to others and a source of some solace for the families left behind.
For anyone affected by the issues raised in this case, support is available. Samaritans are available to listen, day or night, 365 days a year. They can be reached for free on 116 123, by email at [email protected], or through their website at www.samaritans.org.
As the date of sentencing approaches, the story serves as a somber reminder of the real-world consequences of online exploitation—and the ongoing challenge of protecting the vulnerable in an increasingly digital world.
