Warning: This article contains descriptions of self-harm and mutilation that some readers may find distressing
A vascular surgeon who has been charged with fraud after allegedly amputating his own legs also watched videos showing depraved acts carried out by the notorious 'Eunuch Maker'.
Neil Hopper, 49, from Cornwall, has been charged with fraud after allegedly making a false claim to insurers that the injuries to his legs were a result of sepsis. His claims were said to have been made between 3 and 26 June, 2019.
It has also been alleged that, between 21 August, 2018 and 4 December, 2020, Hopper purchased videos from 'The Eunuch Maker' website that was ran by Marius Gustavson.
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In 2024, Gustavson was jailed for life with a minimum of 22 years after mutilating paying customers and streaming it on his website.
Described in court as 'a butcher' and 'a lunatic', the Norwegian man and his medically unqualified accomplices would perform a series of operations in London flats and hotel rooms on 'willing customers', some as young as 16.
'Little short of human butchery'
Gustavson, who moved to the UK in 2012, admitted to five counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
Aged 46 at the time, the court heard that the businessman even persuaded others to carry out procedures on him, which included the removal of a nipple and his penis, as well as the freezing of one of his legs.
After claiming £18,000 in disability benefits, the court heard that he kept his own severed penis in a drawer at home for years.
Six of his underqualified associates were also charged and sent to prison.
Kate Mulholland from the Crown Prosecution Service said: "Marius Gustavson ignored the risks of performing unnecessary surgery on vulnerable men, for sexual gratification and financial gain.
"He actively recruited participants through his website and was paid to stream the footage of these barbaric procedures. Performing extreme body modifications is against the law and the CPS won't hesitate to prosecute these horrendous crimes."
Gustavson earned almost £300,000 from 'The Eunuch Maker'
His website welcomed roughly 22,841 visitors from across the world, many of which would pay the yearly £100 subscription fee for 'VIP status', which would include live penis amputations.
The court heard that Gustavson would use his site to sell the human tissue gathered from the procedures.
Prosecutor Caroline Carberry KC also said that he once 'cooked some testicles for lunch' which he ate in a salad.
Defence barrister Rashvinderjeet Panesar said: "From there the Eunuch Maker website began. He does say he wished to put a smile on other people's faces - he wanted to help.
"He was stuck in a body he wanted to make changes to, and understood there were more people out there who wished to do the same."
Vascular surgeon Neil Hopper allegedly watched Gustavson's videos
From 2013, Hopper worked for the Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust until he was arrested in March 2023.
His medical license has been suspended ever since.
The doctor, who carried out hundreds of amputations, was accused in court of two counts of fraud by false representation, and a charge of encouraging or assisting in the commission of an indictable-only offence, namely grievous bodily harm.
A spokesperson for the Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust said: "The charges do not relate to Mr Hopper's professional conduct and there has been no evidence to suggest any risk to patients.
"Former patients with any questions or concerns about their treatment can contact the Royal Cornwall Hospitals' patient experience team."
He is scheduled to appear at Truro Crown Court on 26 August.
Anish Vij