A British vascular surgeon, Neil Hopper, has been sentenced to 32 months in prison after deliberately freezing his own legs to satisfy a sexual obsession before falsely claiming nearly Ksh79.8 million (£480,000) in insurance payouts.
The 49-year-old former consultant admitted two counts of fraud by false representation and three charges of possessing extreme pornography at Truro Crown Court.
Self-inflicted amputations for fetish
In April 2019, Hopper used dry ice to destroy his legs, leading to a double amputation. He later claimed the loss was caused by sepsis, misleading insurance companies into issuing huge payouts. The money funded luxuries including a campervan, hot tub, wood burner, and home improvements.
Links to notorious “EunuchMaker” website
The case came to light during investigations into Marius Gustavson, the operator of the “EunuchMaker” website, who was jailed for life in 2024 for extreme body modification crimes. Hopper’s connection to the site exposed his fetish-driven obsession with amputation.
Judge: “Breathtaking dishonesty”
Sentencing Hopper, Judge James Adkin said his actions demonstrated calculated fraud and disturbing sexual motives. The court also imposed a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and ordered a proceeds of crime probe to recover the insurance money, leaving Hopper likely to lose his home.
Fallout: Suspension and marriage collapse
Hopper, who has been suspended from medical practice since 2023, has also seen his marriage collapse. Meanwhile, former patients are seeking legal advice, fearing his fetish may have influenced past medical treatments.
