A former surgeon who allegedly had his legs amputated intentionally sent a disturbing message to a provider of extreme pornography that involved body modifications after the procedure.
Neil Hopper, previously employed as a vascular surgeon for the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK, underwent surgery to amputate his lower legs and subsequently claimed £466,653 ($628,980) from his insurance companies.
Hopper, 49, informed the insurers that his legs were injured due to sepsis. However, it was later discovered that he had used dry ice to freeze his legs, resulting in the need for amputation.
On September 4, the former surgeon admitted guilt to two charges of fraud by false representation related to the insurance claims. In court, prosecutor Nicholas Lee outlined how Hopper had previously purchased pornography that depicted body modifications.
Prosecutor Lee revealed that Hopper had paid for three videos from a site called Eunuch Maker, operated by Marius Gustavson, which showcased men voluntarily undergoing genital removal.
Hopper was found to have exchanged numerous messages with Gustavson concerning his own leg amputations. Lee explained Hopper’s motivations, stating: “It is evident from the messages that Mr. Hopper wished to become an amputee and it was always something he had dreamt of.
“Something he has been obsessed with and had a sexual interest in becoming an amputee.”
Hopper had his feet amputated in May 2019, followed by another surgery to remove his lower legs a week later.
After the surgeries, he sent a message to Gustavson along with an image of his bandaged legs, stating: “It feels so cool. No feet!”
Andrew Langdon KC, representing Hopper, claimed that the former surgeon maintains his actions did not affect his professional responsibilities.
Hopper has been suspended from the medical register, although the NHS trust reported no evidence of ‘any risk or harm’ to patients following an investigation into his work.
After pleading guilty, Hopper received a 32-month prison sentence and will be subjected to a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
The judge remarked during sentencing: “You were in hospital for six weeks, and after extensive tests and various treatments, the medics concluded your feet could not be saved, leading to the amputation on 17 May.
“You then made fraudulent insurance claims to Aviva and Old Mutual Wealth, receiving £466,000 fraudulently by falsely representing the injuries as organic, resulting from sepsis, when you inflicted the injury seemingly at least in part for sexual gratification.”
In a related case, Gustavson was sentenced to life imprisonment last year, with a minimum term of 22 years, after being found guilty of leading an extreme body modification ring.