Brit who sold ‘suicide’ drug online for £100 then posted it across UK is jailed after two people took own lives

A BRIT “predator” who sold a “suicide” drug online for £100 has been jailed after two people took their own life.

Miles Cross, 33, set up a business selling the poison via a web forum and operated under a pseudonym.

He shared a QR code that allowed four people to buy the chemical directly, which he then posted across the UK using Royal Mail.

One of the four people, 29-year-old Shubreet Singh, from Leeds, who paid £100 for a package, has since died.

A man, who cannot be named, also took his own life after taking the poison.

Cross has now been jailed for 14 years in what is thought to be the first investigation of its kind.

He pleaded guilty to four counts of intentionally doing an act capable of encouraging or assisting suicide.

Sentencing, Judge Rhys Rowlands said: “This is a rare and extremely serious case involving you sending [a substance] out to individuals who were distressed and in contact with you in a suicide forum.

“Tragically two individuals died as a result of your actions.”

Mold Crown Court was told Cross operated under the name “hiddenpain” to target vulnerable people on the suicide forum.

He advertised the poison online by sharing a picture of it along with a caption complaining that Britain was a “f***ing nanny state”.

Between August and September 2024, Cross posted out packages of the chemical to four victims across the UK, who each paid him £100.

His twisted crimes came to light when Thames Valley Police, who were investigating another case of suicide, came across his name during “financial investigations”.

Officers from North Wales Police then raided Cross’ home in January 2025 and found quantities of the same chemical he had sent through the post along with other paraphernalia.

This included 96 zip foil bags – four less than the 100 he had originally purchased.

All four packages sent had Cross’s return address on them and one of the foil bags was found where Shubreet died.

Following his arrest, he told probation officers he had sourced the chemicals before receiving two tubs of a substance which he would use to “help others end their lives”.

Prosecutors confirmed Cross had actually set up his business and bought the substance before he joined the forum.

They said he also ordered other drugs which have also been linked to suicide.

Police found further evidence of his crimes after examining Shubreet’s phone following her death.

Screenshots showed Cross had asked if she needed help sourcing the chemical and that she had later made a payment to him.

The pair had also exchanged messages in the days leading up to the tragedy about their “last meal”, the court heard.

Evidence suggested Shubreet had taken her own life on September 1 – two days before she was found.

The court was also told about another victim, who purchased a chemical from Cross.

Their dad went missing and his body was found weeks later after he used it to take his own life.

Thankfully, two of the four packages sold were never used.

One of Cross’ victims told the court: “At the time I made the decision to purchase this substance, I felt vulnerable, overwhelmed and struggled silently.

“This experience caused me significant emotional pain. I’m no longer in that state of mind but I’ve had to work hard to heal and move forward in a healthier direction.

“The fact that this was so easy makes me think, had I not come to my senses, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

“Because this person made it so easily available makes me think they preyed on vulnerable people like me.

“Although he does not know me and may not fully understand the impact of his actions the substance he advertised, sold and sent me could have ended my life and seriously impacted on my family.

“I hope my words can be used to support others and to ensure safety for those who may be in similar situations.”

North Wales Police said the online forum Cross used was the target of Ofcom’s first investigation under the Online Safety Act, which began in April 2025.

The body worked with the National Crime Agency and police to get the US-based chatroom to implement a geo-block to restrict access by people with UK IP addresses.

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Superintendent Chris Bell said: “Today’s sentence reflects the severity of Cross’ offending, as he preyed on his victims online and exploited them in their most desperate moments, profiting off their vulnerability and mental wellbeing.

“Instead of assisting them to seek support, he proactively encouraged them to end their lives and provided them with a means to do so, which tragically and needlessly resulted in two deaths.

“I want to acknowledge the courage of each of the survivors who played an integral part in this complex investigation during such difficult circumstances, and the devastating impact it has had on the lives of the family and friends of the two people who tragically lost their lives.

“Working closely with the survivors enabled my investigation team to secure a successful prosecution against Cross, which we believe to be the first of its kind in the UK, involving the online forum he was using.”

If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.