A British surgeon has been sentenced to 32 months in prison for committing fraud related to the self-inflicted amputation of his legs. The case of Dr. Neil Hopper, 49, emerged during a court hearing where it was revealed that he had intentionally frozen and amputated his legs for his own sexual gratification.
In 2019, Hopper claimed he suffered injuries to his legs due to sepsis, which led him to receive £466,000 (approximately $947,910) from insurance companies. However, evidence presented in court showed that he had used dry ice to freeze his legs, leading to their amputation. This shocking act has raised serious concerns among his former patients, who are now calling for an independent inquiry to determine if they underwent unnecessary surgeries.
Hopper, who had an extensive career as a vascular surgeon at the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust, had performed hundreds of amputation surgeries over the course of a decade. The court proceedings at Truro Crown Court revealed that he had a longstanding sexual fetish for having his legs amputated.
In addition to the fraud charges, Hopper also pleaded guilty to possessing extreme pornography. He had purchased videos from Marius Gustavson, known as the “Eunuch Maker,” who was previously imprisoned for leading an extreme body-modification ring. These videos featured individuals willingly undergoing extreme procedures, including genital removals.
According to the prosecutor, Nicholas Lee, Hopper bought three videos from the Eunuch Maker website for prices ranging from £10 to £35 (approximately $20-$72). The details presented in court further highlighted the disturbing nature of Hopper’s actions, raising questions about the potential impact on his patients and their medical histories.
The fallout from this case is significant, with former patients expressing outrage and concern about their treatment. They are demanding that health authorities conduct a thorough investigation to uncover whether any individuals were subjected to unnecessary procedures under Hopper’s care.
This case not only brings to light the extreme lengths to which some individuals may go to fulfill personal fetishes but also underscores the need for stringent regulations and oversight in the medical field to prevent similar incidents in the future. The implications of Hopper’s actions serve as a reminder of the complex intersection between personal desires and professional responsibilities within healthcare.
