Former Surgeon Admits to Insurance Fraud

The BBC has reported that Neil Hopper, a 49-year-old ex-vascular surgeon from the National Health Bureau, pleaded guilty to insurance fraud after intentionally injuring himself to fulfill a sexual obsession.

Prosecutors revealed that Hopper used dry ice to freeze his feet, leading to amputations that he described as both a means to alleviate long-term physical discomfort and a fulfillment of a sexual desire. This was uncovered during court proceedings, with the prosecution stating that, “His motivation was a combination of obsession with removing parts of his own body and sexual interest in doing so.”

Court documents indicated that Hopper purchased three videos from a website known for non-medical male genital amputations and also allegedly exchanged approximately 1,500 messages with the site’s operators. He expressed “severe regret” over his dishonesty during the investigations but didn’t seem to lament the amputations themselves.

After undergoing surgery, Hopper referred to himself as a “bionic surgeon” and featured in various media discussing his changed life.

Hopper was arrested in March 2023, with his medical license suspended later that year. He had spent a decade working with the Royal Cornwall Hospital NHS Trust. An investigation found no evidence suggesting risk or harm to patients, though it was noted that the conduct warranted a thorough public inquiry.

Reports indicated that a friend had encouraged Hopper to exploit insurance payments, leading him to purchase a camper van, renovate his home, and add a hot tub. Ultimately, he was sentenced to 22 months for fraud and an additional 10 months for possessing extreme pornographic material.