Neil Hopper, a guest on This Morning, was sentenced to 32 months in jail for a fraudulent scheme that led to the amputation of his own legs. Hopper, a former surgeon, orchestrated a plan to freeze his legs using dry ice, resulting in the need for amputation, with a total fraud amount exceeding £466,000. His intention was to claim substantial sums from insurance companies, amounting to £235,622 from one and £231,031 from another.
In addition to the fraud charges, Hopper confessed to possessing extreme pornography. His involvement came to light during the arrest of Marius Gustavson, known as “Eunuch Maker,” who had undergone self-inflicted extreme bodily harm, including genital removal. Hopper had purchased videos from Gustavson’s website depicting such acts and engaged in extensive conversations with him about his desire for amputation.
Hopper’s defense lawyer revealed that Hopper struggled with gender identity issues since childhood and made the irreversible decision to damage his legs in April 2019. Despite his previous claims of contracting sepsis after a camping trip, it was uncovered that Hopper intentionally caused the harm to his legs, opting for amputation instead of extensive medical procedures.
While Hopper had a reputation as a skilled surgeon, being recognized as the “Bravest surgeon in Britain” and even considered for a space program, his actions have led to his suspension from medical practice since December 2023. The Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust clarified that the charges against Hopper were unrelated to his professional conduct, ensuring no risk to patients. Former patients with concerns were encouraged to contact the hospital’s Patient Experience team for support.