A surgeon who claimed he lost his legs to sepsis has been accused of fraud as he faces allegations that his injuries were self-inflicted.
Neil Hopper, a vascular surgeon who carried out hundreds of amputations, appeared before Cornwall Magistrates’ Court earlier this week (23 July) to answer for two counts of fraud by false representation and a charge of encouraging or assisting in the commission of grievous bodily harm.
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.
Devon and Cornwall Police claim that he tried to get £235,622 from one insurer and £231,031 from another.
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The surgeon also faces allegations that between 21 August, 2018 and 4 December, 2020 he bought videos from a website run by Marius Gustavson, a convicted criminal dubbed 'The Eunuch Maker' because he livestreamed himself castrating men.
Hopper had previously appeared on This Morning and claimed he developed sepsis in his legs on a family camping trip and for a time, he was held up as an inspirational figure.
In 2020, he won the Against All Odds category at the Amplifon Awards for Brave Britons, and he was even shortlisted as part of the European Space Agency’s search for candidates to be a disabled astronaut.
In 2023, the year he was arrested, he told the BBC that he faced a choice between multiple operations to try and save his legs, which may not work or to have them removed below the knee.
Hopper worked for Royal Cornwall Hospitals between 2013 and 2023, and a spokesperson for the hospital 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.
“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."
Marius Gustavson, the 'Eunuch Maker' who Hopper allegedly bought videos from, was jailed for life with a minimum term of 22 years after police arrested him for running a pay-per-view website where he could castrate men who appeared willing to have their penises amputated.
The castrations were carried out in London flats and hotel rooms, and a judge described what Gustavson did as 'little short of human butchery'.
Gustavson had also amputated his own penis, which he kept in a drawer in his home for year, along with other parts of his own body he'd cut off.
Investigators also found there had been 'clear evidence of cannibalism' from Gustavson, and there had been multiple incidents where the emergency services had to be called.
Neil Hopper has been remanded in custody and will appear before Truro Crown Court on 26 August.
Joe Harker