A man has been charged with encouraging a man to take his own life over video call.
Dylan Phelan, 21, from Morley, West Yorkshire, has been charged with encouraging suicide after a man died in the United States, the Crown Prosecution announced today.
Phelan allegedly encouraged the suicide of 21-year-old man in Louisiana during a video call on 30 October 2024.
Phelan is also charged with making an indecent image of a child and possessing extreme pornography.
These charges are not connected to the suicide of the 21-year-old man.
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Malcolm McHaffie, Head of the Crown Prosecution Service’s Special Crime Division, said: ‘Our prosecutors have worked to establish that there is sufficient evidence to bring the case to court and that it is in the public interest to pursue criminal proceedings.
‘We have worked closely with West Yorkshire Police as they carried out their investigation into the circumstances of this death. Our thoughts are with the family of the victim at this time.
‘We remind all concerned that proceedings against this defendant are active and that he has the right to a fair trial.
‘It is vital that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.’
Phelan will appear at Leeds Magistrates’ Court on 11 February 2026.
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