Interview from amputee surgeon who 'caused injuries himself after buying Eunuch Maker videos' has resurfaced
An interview with the amputee surgeon, who is accused of encouraging someone else to remove the body parts of others after watching 'Eunuch maker' videos, has resurfaced.
Neil Hopper was once regarded as one of the bravest men in Britain, with the 49-year-old having performed hundreds of amputations in his role as a vascular surgeon in the UK.
His life changed forever when, in 2019, he lost both his legs, something he claimed at the time was due to sepsis, a life-threatening illness that causes the body to attack its own tissues and organs.
The dad-of-two claimed to have fallen ill on a camping trip before being taken to hospital with a serious illness, something he spoke about in various media interviews and during an appearance on This Morning, which saw him dubbed heroic.
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However, he was arrested in 2023 on two counts of false representation and a charge of encouraging or assisting in the commission of grievous bodily harm, and appeared at Cornwall Magistrates' Court earlier this week, but did not enter a plea.
It's alleged that between 3 June and 26 June 2019, Hopper falsely claimed to insurers that the loss of both of his legs was due to sepsis, something Devon and Cornwall Police claim that he tried to get a combined £461,000 from two separate insurers.
Alarmingly, it is also claimed that Hopper bought videos from the website of Marius Gustavson, a convicted criminal dubbed 'The Eunuch Maker' - due to his affinity for castrating men on a livestream, and encouraging other men to do the same.
As Hopper is remanded in custody and prepares to learn his fate in Truro Crown Court on 26 August, a previous interview with the BBC has resurfaced, in which the surgeon discussed why he was anxious ahead of the procedure that saw both of his legs be removed.
He said to the broadcaster: "I couldn't help but imagine the mechanics of it. I do quite a lot of amputations and the one thing that kept going around in my mind was power tools because you use power tools.
"The thought of power tools being used on me was icky. It was really weird."
He also spoke of the phantom pain he experienced, adding: "I can wiggle my toes, I can feel my toes rubbing together... it's so weird."
After his arrest in 2023, he was suspended by his workplace, the Royal Cornwall Hospital, with a spokesperson for the Hospital's Trust saying: "The charges do not relate to Mr Hopper’s professional conduct and there has been no evidence to suggest any risk to patients.
“Mr Hopper worked at the Royal Cornwall Hospitals from 2013 until he was suspended from duty in March 2023, following his initial arrest.
"Former patients with any questions or concerns about their treatment can contact the Royal Cornwall Hospitals’ patient experience team."
James Moorhouse