A shocking story has emerged from Cornwall, where an NHS vascular surgeon has admitted to deliberately amputating his own legs and then lying about the cause to claim a hefty insurance payout.
Neil Hopper, 49, pleaded guilty to two charges of fraud by false representation, claiming his legs were removed due to illness rather than self-inflicted injury.
Shocking Details of the Fraud
Hopper, who had carried out hundreds of amputations during his career, used dry ice to freeze his legs until amputation became medically necessary.
He then submitted insurance claims totaling £466,653.81.
He had previously told media outlets that he lost his legs to sepsis following a family camping trip in 2019, even appearing on This Morning and winning a Brave Briton award for his “resilience.”
Disturbing Possession of Extreme Material
The court also heard Hopper admitted to three charges of possessing extreme pornographic content from a website called EunuchMaker, which featured genital mutilation.
Prosecutors said Hopper had deliberately sought these videos for sexual gratification and had watched them thousands of times.
Mental Health and Body Dysphoria
Defending Hopper, his lawyer said he had experienced body dysphoria from a young age, particularly a profound distaste for his feet.
Hopper reportedly felt he was in the wrong body and desired to be female, which contributed to his actions.
Court Proceedings and Guilty Pleas
Hopper appeared at Truro Crown Court to enter guilty pleas for all charges.
Prosecutors emphasized that he had misled insurers and that his actions were premeditated.
The case has left many questioning the ethical and psychological factors at play in what they describe as an “unusual and disturbing” scenario.
From Hero to Criminal
Hopper’s story had once inspired admiration.
After his supposed sepsis and amputations, he returned to work as a double-leg amputee, even applying for the European Space Agency’s Parastronaut Feasibility Project.
His journey was documented in Drych: Camau Tua’r Ser, portraying him as a man who overcame immense personal and physical challenges.
Professional Consequences
Despite his previous acclaim, Hopper’s career has been severely impacted.
He left the Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust in March 2023, faced restrictions from the General Medical Council, and has been suspended from the medical register since December 2023.
The Trust stated the charges do not relate to his professional conduct and there was no evidence suggesting patient risk.
Public Concern and Patient Safety
The revelations have alarmed Hopper’s former patients, some of whom underwent amputations themselves.
Legal firm Enable Law is working with patients and the Limbless Association, demanding a rigorous public investigation to ensure proper scrutiny and accountability.
Concerns include whether patients received necessary treatment and adequate support.
Calls for Transparency and Support
Enable Law emphasizes the need for open, transparent investigations and robust medical and psychological support for affected patients.
They are urging the Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust to collaborate with experts to manage communication and patient care effectively, underscoring the gravity of the situation for patients and their families.