UK survivor testifies against Canadian poison seller in Ontario sentencing
Elisabeth Belien, a British survivor of Canadian poison seller Kenneth Law, testified at his sentencing hearing in Ontario, describing how he exploited her mental health crisis. Law, a former chef, admitted to aiding 14 suicides in Canada after selling toxic chemicals to over 1,200 people in 40 countries via online forums. While he faces no charges for the nearly 80 linked UK deaths due to a plea deal, families of British victims read impact statements in court. Belien, who took the poison in 2023, expressed survivor's guilt and long-term psychological trauma, noting that her recovery did not erase the shame of enabling his business. Other relatives, including parents of victims who died in 2021 and 2023, shared statements detailing their grief and the preventable nature of their losses. The hearing highlights the cross-border legal challenges in prosecuting Law, as UK authorities support the Canadian process given extradition hurdles. Legal experts suggest Law may face up to 20 years in prison, though the plea deal limits the scope of his accountability for international victims.
