A Canadian poison seller who shipped lethal substances to people across the world, including the UK, robbed his victims of the chance to recover from their mental health struggles, a court has heard.

Kenneth Law appeared in court in Ontario, Canada, on Wednesday, when victim impact statements were read out for some of Law’s 93 victims who form part of the Canadian proceedings.

The 61-year-old had previously pleaded guilty to 14 counts of aiding suicide, all relating to Canadian victims.

Although Law was not formally charged with the deaths, 79 UK victims known to have died as a direct result of purchasing his products online also form part of the wider Canadian case into his offending.

Stephen Mitchell Sr, the father of Stephen Mitchell Jr, who died on March 25 2023 aged 21, described his son as “gentle, incredibly intelligent and loyal”.

But he also suffered from depression and was therefore “vulnerable”, Mr Mitchell Sr added.

“He was ill, he needed help, and I tried my best to bring him that help.

“Mr Law robbed my son of that chance to be well.”

Mr Mitchell Jr had purchased poison online from Law on January 31 2023, and received it by post to his address on February 3.

He was found dead in his bed by his brother, Ethan, at their family home in Toronto, according to court documents.

Mr Mitchel Sr, addressing Law in court, continued: “I’m willing to accept that during Mr Law’s time in incarceration, he might have had brief moments of regret, or even despair and helplessness.

“Perhaps he may have even thought during those moments: my life is meaningless, what is the point of living.

“That was the same thoughts that my son Stephen had before he took the chemicals that Mr Law sold him.

“When my son was well, he would have gladly helped Mr Law work out his depressive thoughts, if asked, because he believed in the value of people.”

Sandra Scott, whose daughter, Amara Scott, died on February 9 2022 aged 25, told the court Amara had moved to Toronto in 2021 and was “meeting those life goals that she set out for herself”, but was also “going through a mental health crisis”.

“As a family, we were going through it with her,” Ms Scott said.

“We were leaving no stones unturned to help her.

“Our efforts were cut short when, in her most vulnerable state, she made contact with the accused.”

Ms Scott continued: “The day I and her friends found Amara, and the way that she died – it broke my heart.

“It was a blessing and an honour to be Amara’s mother.”

Greg Bryson, whose son Tyler died on May 2 2023 at the age of 34, told the court: “Mr Law took from us something that we can never retrieve.

“Mr Law gave Tyler and countless other people around the world at the lowest point in their lives an option that stole from us the opportunity to sit down and address his mental illness.”

Mr Bryson paid Law 454 dollars (£343) for lethal substances he received on February 7 2023.

He had also exchanged emails with Law, who asked Mr Bryson to destroy the materials sent to him prior to taking his own life, according to court documents.

Police had conducted a welfare check on April 29, during which Mr Bryson denied knowing about the products sold by Law, or having thoughts of self-harm.

He was later found dead in a rental car at BMO field in Toronto.

Adrienne Dalli, whose brother Maurizio Antonio Vadala died on March 15 2023 at the age of 36, told the court in her statement: “All these lives spoken about throughout these proceedings mean something.

“Maurizio mattered, and he should still be here.”

She said her brother’s death after ingesting poison purchased from Law left her feeling “anger, confusion, and an overwhelming sense of injustice” that Mr Vadala “encountered guidance towards death instead of support or prevention”.

“My brother deserved more time, he deserved support, care, and protection, and the chance to recover during the most vulnerable time of his life,” Mrs Dalli added.

The parents of 18-year-old Jeshennia Bedoya-Lopez, Maria Lopez and Leonardo Bedoya-Forero, also told the court of their grief following the death of their only daughter.

Mr Bedoya-Forero, who found Jeshennia dead at their family home in Aurora, Ontario, said: “I don’t think there are words that can explain what happens inside a parent when they see their child like that.

“I want it to be her life I remember most, not the way I found her.”

A total of 74 victim impact statements are to be read out in court during proceedings due to last four days.

It has been established Law sent sold 1,200 packages to 40 countries across the world from Canada-based websites – including 330 products to the UK, according to the NCA.

The court previously heard Law was the sole owner of four companies, with one firm’s website offering a “set of instructions” and advertising 40-minute telephone consultations for 150 dollars (£111).

The site also showed a “testimonial” from the estate of someone who had killed themself to prove the “efficacy” of his products.

The court in Ontario also heard how Law would occasionally frequent an online forum where users discussed ending their lives, where he would post under the pseudonym “Greenberg” to direct people to one of his websites.

The maximum sentence for aiding suicide in Canada is 14 years – the same as for encouraging suicide in the UK.

It is understood that the sentence in this case is likely to be more than 14 years because of the number of victims and the nature of the offences.

– Call Samaritans for free on 116 123, email [email protected] or visit samaritans.org.