UK Surgeon Cut Off His Own Legs for Kinky Obsession
A shocking case has emerged in the UK where a senior surgeon, Neil Hopper, deliberately amputated his own legs to satisfy sexual desires and later carried out a large-scale insurance fraud. The 49-year-old former consultant vascular surgeon falsely claimed nearly £500,000 (around ₹5 crore) in payouts, pretending that the amputations were caused by sepsis.
How the Self-Amputation Happened
According to court records, Hopper used dry ice in 2019 to freeze his legs until the damage was serious enough to necessitate amputation. Although he claimed that the amputations were caused by a serious infection, it was eventually revealed that he had caused the injuries himself. After that, he filed bogus insurance claims with big businesses such as Aviva and Old Mutual Health.
He then made fraudulent insurance claims with major insurers Aviva and Old Mutual Health. These companies eventually paid him more than £466,000, which he spent on luxuries including a campervan, a hot tub, home upgrades, and other personal items.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
At Truro Crown Court, Hopper admitted two counts of fraud by false representation. Prosecutors explained that his actions were driven both by a long-standing obsession with body removal and a sexual fascination with amputation.
Judge James Adkin sentenced him to 32 months in prison, noting that although Hopper had no prior convictions, the “level of harm” linked to the extreme material he consumed was “exceptionally high.” In addition, a 10-year sexual harm prevention order was imposed, and a financial investigation was launched to recover part of the fraudulent insurance money.
Impact on His Medical Career
Aside from the insurance fraud, Hopper was found guilty of possessing severe pornographic material. Investigators discovered that he had purchased and viewed graphic videos from a website called EunuchMaker, which featured men undergoing genital removal.
He exchanged more than 1,500 messages with Marius Gustavson, the man behind the site, openly discussing his amputations. Gustavson himself had previously been sentenced to life imprisonment for running an underground body-modification network.
Impact on His Medical Career
Hopper had worked at the Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust from 2013 until his suspension in 2023. Despite the shocking revelations, the Trust emphasised that the criminal charges were unrelated to his professional practice and that no evidence suggested patients were ever at risk.
Still, the news has unsettled some of his former patients, particularly those who had undergone amputations under his care, prompting them to seek legal advice regarding their treatment.
Psychological Background
Lawyers representing Hopper revealed that he had struggled with body dysphoria since childhood, describing his feet as an “unwelcome extra” that caused him lifelong discomfort. His case highlights how untreated psychological conditions, when mixed with compulsive sexual interests, can lead to extreme behaviours.
Conclusion
The case of Neil Hopper raises questions about the intersection of body dysphoria, sexual paraphilias, and fraud in medical professionals. While his actions shocked the public, experts stress that they were rooted in deep psychological distress rather than medical incompetence.
This incident also highlights the need for stronger systems to detect fraudulent insurance claims and for early intervention in individuals struggling with severe body-related psychological issues.
Source: Inputs from various media Sources
I’m a pharmacist with a strong background in health sciences. I hold a BSc from Delhi University and a pharmacy degree from PDM University. I write articles and daily health news while interviewing doctors to bring you the latest insights. In my free time, you’ll find me at the gym or lost in a sci-fi novel.
- Health News and Updates,People Forum
- 6 September 2025
- 15:00
