If anyone doubts the power of the internet to change lives, they should speak with Ontario Police. They recently charged a Toronto man, Kenneth Law, with 14 counts of second-degree murder over the suicide deaths of young Canadians. But Law allegedly posted 1,200 packages of a lethal drug, sodium nitrate, to more than 40 countries. There may be many more victims.

Canadian media said Law could be linked to 117 deaths internationally, about 90 of them in Britain. Packages were also shipped to New Zealand, France, Ireland, Italy, Germany and Switzerland.

Mr Law intends to plead not guilty to the charges. Mr Law, 57, is a licensed engineer who was working as a chef. He declared bankruptcy in 2020, and later that year set up websites to market his suicide kits. He also sold gas masks.

The 14 victims in Ontario ranged in age from 16 to 36. More than one of them was under 18, according to police.