Andrew Neil Hopper, a 49-year-old vascular surgeon at Treliske Hospital in Truro, Cornwall, was sentenced at Truro Crown Court on 4 September 2025 for fraud and encouraging serious harm through his involvement with extreme online content. Hopper suffered from body integrity identity disorder (BIID), a condition causing a profound distress over healthy limbs, combined with a sexual fetish for amputations. He concealed these issues throughout his life, confiding only in his wife, whom he later separated from amid the scandal.
Hopper's obsession led him to online forums and the dark web, where he connected with Marius Gustavson, the operator of the Eunuch Maker website, who is serving a life sentence for grievous bodily harm. Using the pseudonym AdmirerDoc, Hopper purchased three videos depicting genital amputations, including one where a man severed his own penis and another that resulted in life-threatening bleeding. He exchanged hundreds of messages with Gustavson, expressing enthusiasm for the content and seeking advice on achieving his own amputations, describing legless 'stumps' as 'sexy' and stating he had viewed the videos 'thousands of times'.
In 2019, following Gustavson's guidance, Hopper bought 14kg of medical-grade dry ice and painkillers via cryptocurrency on the dark web. While his family was away, he submerged his lower legs in dry ice for eight hours, causing severe necrosis. A friend discovered him in agony, and paramedics rushed him to Royal Cornwall Hospital, where colleagues fought to save his legs before transferring him to Derriford Hospital in Plymouth. Despite hyperbaric treatment and antibiotics, both legs were amputated below the knee on 17 May 2019. Hopper concealed the self-harm, claiming sepsis from an unknown virus, and continued messaging Gustavson about his excitement over the outcome.
Exploiting his medical expertise, Hopper defrauded Aviva and Old Mutual Wealth insurance policies, securing £466,653.81 in compensation by portraying himself as a heroic amputee returning to work. He spent the funds on a campervan, home adaptations including a hot tub, debt repayment, and £52,000 to his wife. Additionally, he claimed £44,000 in disability benefits from the Department for Work and Pensions. His deception was exposed during the Metropolitan Police's investigation into the Eunuch Maker site, which revealed his communications; Devon and Cornwall Police then uncovered the insurance fraud.
Prosecutor Nicholas Lee described the fraud as callous, noting it diverted NHS resources and eroded trust in Hopper's profession. Defence barrister Andrew Langdon KC highlighted Hopper's remorse for the dishonesty and its impact on his family and career, though he expressed no regret over the amputation itself. Judge James Adkin condemned Hopper's wilful participation in encouraging grievous bodily harm. Hopper pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud by false representation and three counts of encouraging or assisting an indictable offence.
- 'This is very much a unique case,' said Mr Lee, emphasising the breach of trust.
- 'He regrets the dishonesty... Buying videos from Eunuch Maker was shameful and disturbing,' stated Mr Langdon.
The Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust confirmed no harm to patients after reviews, and Assistant Chief Constable Jim Pearce noted the charges did not involve professional misconduct. A Proceeds of Crime Act hearing is scheduled for 2026.