A man in his 60s was arrested last July on suspicion of helping a pensioner end his life, according to Dorset Police.
The arrest, made on July 15, 2024, was part of an ongoing investigation into the suspected assistance in suicide, a crime under UK law.
However, details of the case have only now emerged, with the man having been released on bail after his arrest. Nearly eight months later, no charges have been filed, as inquiries continue.
Dorset Police confirmed that officers executed a warrant under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act at an address in the Sandford area of Wareham.
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The suspect was arrested on suspicion of intentionally encouraging or assisting suicide, a crime that remains illegal in the UK.
The investigation remains complex, with police liaising with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to proceed with a prosecution.
Under UK law, it is illegal to assist or encourage suicide, although prosecutions are rare. Since 2009, 187 cases of alleged assisted suicide have been referred to the CPS, but only four have resulted in convictions.
The case comes amid ongoing debate in the UK regarding assisted dying. A Bill introduced in England and Wales aims to legalize assisted dying for terminally ill individuals with less than six months to live.
However, concerns over the impact on the NHS and the judicial system have led to delays, with some suggesting the bill may be shelved or significantly amended.
