A RETIRED NHS worker spent 19 hours in custody and was investigated by police for six months for chaperoning a Cardigan woman to her assisted death in Switzerland, it has emerged.

Sue Lawford went with Sharon Johnston - who was in a wheelchair after a fall at her previous home in Aberystwyth left her paralysed - to Dignitas.

Ms Johnston, 60, who had no immediate family following the death of her parents and brother, went to Switzerland to die six months after the former pub landlady and betting shop worker told a BBC TV programme she planned on spending £14,000 to end her life.

Now Cardiff-based Mrs Lawford claims police who arrested her the day after returning from Switzerland, were ‘aggressive’.

Dyfed-Powys Police said assisting a suicide was a criminal offence.

The force added that while a ‘thorough criminal investigation’ was required to establish the facts, the case had been closed and no-one would face charges.

Mrs Lawford, a retired GP surgery manager, did not know Ms Johnston and only met her once before they travelled, but agreed to help her as a member of group My Death, My Decision, which supports changes to the UK law on assisted dying.

She said that the saga showed the ‘urgent need’ to reform the UK’s assisted dying laws.

“The entire situation caused immense stress and heartache for Sharon on an already difficult journey,” she added. “It has caused me immense stress and anxiety since our return.

"The BBC had filmed an entire documentary on Sharon, whose decision was as clear as day.

“A change in the law in the UK is long overdue. And it shouldn’t be limited to the terminally ill.

“Sharon’s situation was intolerable, yet could have continued for many years, and there are countless others like her without the means to end their lives on their own terms.”

Andrew Copson, Chief Executive of Humanists UK, said: “The ordeal that Sharon and Sue had to go through just to comply with Sharon’s clear wish is totally unacceptable.”