Police probe 'assisted suicide' of Somerset man

Police are investigating whether a 64-year-old Somerset man travelled to Switzerland to die at an assisted suicide centre.

Avon and Somerset Police confirmed they were looking into the death of a man, believed to be Terry Martin from Uphill, near Weston-super-Mare.

"The investigation is at a very early stage," a police spokesman said.

Mr Martin died on 16 April this year and friends said he was suffering from pancreatitis and diabetes.

Criminal offence

"A report will be prepared and this will be put before the Crown Prosecution Service," the police spokesman added.

It is not known whether anyone travelled with Mr Martin to Switzerland.

The 1961 Suicide Act makes it an offence to encourage or assist a suicide or a suicide attempt in England and Wales.

Anyone doing so could face up to 14 years in prison.

To date, more than 100 UK citizens have travelled to Switzerland to end their lives.