Elisabeth Belien, a British survivor of Canadian poison seller Kenneth Law, told an Ontario court that he exploited her vulnerability when she was at her lowest point. Although she physically recovered after receiving an antidote, she described lasting psychological trauma, shame and survivor’s guilt after learning that others had died.

Law, a former chef, sold about 1,200 packages of toxic substances to people he met through online suicide forums in around 40 countries, with roughly a quarter sent to the UK. He has admitted 14 Canadian counts of aiding suicides and will be sentenced there, while almost 80 UK deaths have been linked to him; under a plea deal, he will not face British charges. Families of British victims, including a 14-year-old boy, have provided statements describing enduring grief and the devastating impact of their children’s deaths.