Surgeon specializing in blood vessels, arrested for a £466,000 fraudulent insurance claim using frozen dry ice on his legs.

In a shocking turn of events, vascular surgeon Neil Hopper has been sentenced to 32 months in prison for fraud and possessing extreme pornographic images. The fraud charges stemmed from Hopper's attempt to claim compensation for self-inflicted amputations, while the pornography charges were related to images found on his device.

Hopper, who identifies with body integrity identity disorder (BIID), immersed his feet in dry ice, leading to their amputation. He then made insurance claims under the pretense of developing septicaemia after suffering from fatigue and flu-like symptoms. The claims totalled more than £466,000 and were made to two insurance companies.

The fraudulent claims were uncovered when it was discovered that Hopper did not disclose the true cause of his injuries to the medical professionals treating him. Hopper also admitted to using dry ice to freeze his legs, leading to their amputation.

In addition to the fraud charges, Hopper was found guilty of possessing extreme pornographic images depicting genital mutilation. These images were found on a website called the EunuchMaker, run by Marius Gustavson.

Hopper's wife and children were away from their home when he immersed his feet in dry ice, leading to the amputations. After receiving the compensation, Hopper spent the money on luxury items such as home improvements, a hot tub, a wood burner, a campervan, prosthetics, and gave a large sum to his wife.

Prosecutors will make an application under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2022 to seize any assets gained from the fraudulent activities. Hopper was motivated by greed, as he stated he would only make a claim if the payouts were substantial.

Marius Gustavson, on the other hand, received approval to keep the earnings from his EunuchMaker website in the years 2017 and 2021 after legal or regulatory decisions confirmed his rights to the income generated.

Hopper's medical career is over, as he recognizes the consequences of his actions. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of honesty and integrity, not only in personal life but also in professional pursuits.