A British vascular surgeon, Dr. Neil Hopper, has been sentenced to 32 months in prison after it was revealed that he had amputated his own legs for personal sexual gratification. The 49-year-old orchestrated the self-inflicted injuries while claiming they were the result of sepsis, allowing him to collect £466,000 (approximately $947,910) from insurance companies.
The case came to light during proceedings at Truro Crown Court, where it was disclosed that Hopper had used dry ice to freeze his legs, leading to the need for double amputation. His actions have raised serious concerns, prompting former patients to call for an independent inquiry into whether they had undergone unnecessary surgery during Hopper’s decade-long tenure at the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust.
Hopper, who had been married with children, confessed to having a long-standing sexual fetish related to amputation. During the court proceedings, he pleaded guilty to fraud and possessing extreme pornography. The latter involved purchasing disturbing videos from Marius Gustavson, a figure known for operating an extreme body-modification ring and referred to as the “Eunuch Maker.” Gustavson has previously been jailed for performing extreme surgical procedures, including genital removals, which he filmed and distributed online.
Prosecutor Nicholas Lee outlined that Hopper had acquired three videos from the Eunuch Maker’s website, spending between £10 and £35 (around $20 to $72) for footage depicting men willingly undergoing invasive surgeries.
This unsettling case raises significant questions regarding medical ethics and patient safety, particularly in light of Hopper’s professional background. As investigations unfold, the medical community and the public await further information on the implications of his actions and their potential impact on former patients.
