MINNEAPOLIS — The family of an Englishman who committed suicide after getting online advice from an ex-nurse in Minnesota is welcoming his conviction for violating a state law against assisting suicide.

Elaine Drybrough says in an email to The Associated Press that she and her husband are grateful to everyone involved in prosecuting William Melchert-Dinkel, of Faribault. Their son, Mark Drybrough, of Coventry, England, hanged himself in 2005.

Following more than four years of legal battles, a Minnesota judge on Tuesday convicted Melchert-Dinkel of assisting Mark Drybrough’s suicide and attempting to assist a Canadian woman’s 2008 suicide.

Elaine Drybrough says the ruling will enable authorities to deal with other offenders more quickly.

She says they were terribly upset when they lost their son and will always remember him.

Melchert-Dinkel plans to appeal.