UK Doctor Jailed After Amputating His Own Legs and Lying to Paramedics That He Suffers from Sepsis

Former Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust (RCHT) doctor, Neil Hopper, widely known as the self-proclaimed “Bionic Surgeon”, has been jailed for more than two years after shocking revelations emerged about the real reason behind his leg amputations.

Hopper had long claimed he lost both legs to sepsis, but investigations revealed he had intentionally frozen them with dry ice in pursuit of a disturbing obsession with amputation.

The case has sparked outrage, with Hopper’s former patients now demanding an independent inquiry to determine whether any of them were subjected to unnecessary surgeries.

During his trial at Truro Crown Court, Hopper pleaded guilty to fraud and possessing extreme pornography purchased from Marius Gustavson, infamously dubbed “The Eunuch Maker”. Gustavson, already jailed for running an extreme body modification ring, was known for carrying out and filming illicit amputations and genital removals.

Prosecutor Nicholas Lee told the court that Hopper had bought three videos from EunuchMaker.com, priced between £10 and £35, showing men willingly undergoing genital removal.

It was further revealed that Hopper exchanged over 1,500 messages with Gustavson, discussing his own amputations and even asking how much dry ice to use in the process.

Prosecutor lee said: “It is evident from the messages that Mr Hopper wished to become an amputee and it was always something he had dreamt of, something he has been obsessed with and had a sexual interest in becoming an amputee,” Mr Lee said.

In messages retrieved, Marius Gustavson advised Hopper to immerse his legs in ice and dry ice for “at least eight hours,” warning that he would need prescription painkillers, which Hopper later sourced from the dark web.

The court heard that on April 15, 2019, while his wife and children were away from their home in St Erme, Cornwall, Hopper carried out the self-mutilation. He reportedly messaged Gustavson: “It’s going to be awesome being a double amputee,” and even sent him an explicit photo.

When paramedics arrived, they believed Hopper was suffering from sepsis and rushed him to hospital, where he underwent a double foot amputation. Just a week later, surgeons performed a further procedure to remove his legs below the knees.

Prosecutor Nicholas Lee explained: “It is apparent that Neil Hopper didn’t tell the medical professionals doing all they could to help him the real cause of his injuries.”

Evidence also revealed Hopper boasting to Gustavson, sending him a photo of his bandaged feet with the message: “It feels so cool. No feet!”

Following internal concerns, Hopper was suspended in March 2023 from his role at Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust (RCHT). The Trust later confirmed it had carried out a comprehensive review of his medical work, finding no evidence that he had harmed patients.

A spokesperson for RCHT said: “Those at our hospitals who knew, worked with, and cared for Mr Hopper have been shocked by what has happened. We have been supporting and counselling them since he was first charged, and are continuing to do so.

“While the details of the charges are shocking, it is important to stress that the convictions do not relate to Mr Hopper’s professional conduct. During a thorough and painstaking police investigation, there were no links found to any patients he treated during his work.

“Mr Hopper worked at the Royal Cornwall Hospitals from 2013 until he was suspended from duty in March 2023, immediately following his arrest.

“The Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust have carried out our own comprehensive clinical reviews of surgery carried out by Neil Hopper in that time, including engaging an experienced independent clinical expert to review decisions to operate.

“We want to reassure the public that our exhaustive investigations have found no evidence whatsoever to indicate any risk or harm to patients at our hospitals.”