**Amputee Surgeon Faces Allegations Over Circumstances Surrounding Leg Amputations**
A prominent vascular surgeon, once celebrated for his courage after undergoing double leg amputation, has been accused of misleading insurers and allegedly encouraging others to remove body parts. Neil Hopper, aged 49 and residing in Truro, Cornwall, is at the centre of a legal case that has attracted widespread public and medical interest. The allegations were revealed after an extensive two-and-a-half year investigation conducted by law enforcement.
According to police reports, Mr Hopper faces three serious criminal charges. These include two counts of fraud by false representation, and a further accusation that he encouraged the removal of body parts by others. It is alleged that between June 3 and June 26, 2019, Mr Hopper provided false information to an insurance company regarding the origins of his leg injuries. Authorities claim he stated that sepsis was to blame, rather than any self-inflicted cause, with the intention of obtaining financial benefit.
Further to these fraud allegations, a third and more unusual charge has been brought forward. Investigators claim that between August 2018 and December 2020, Mr Hopper purchased videos from a site called “The EunuchMaker”, depicting limb removals. He is also said to have encouraged Marius Gustavson, an individual referenced in the prosecution, to remove body parts from third parties. The Crown argues that this act was intended to assist the commission of a grievous bodily harm offence.
The allegations suggest that Mr Hopper believed his actions would directly encourage or assist these offences. Legal documents detail a grim picture of what prosecutors describe as “intentional infliction of injuries” amounting to grievous bodily harm—a charge taken very seriously under UK law. Mr Hopper has been remanded in custody and is expected to appear at Bodmin Magistrates’ Court to face these charges.
The Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust, where Mr Hopper was employed as a vascular surgeon from 2013 until his suspension in March 2023, has responded to news of the prosecution. The Trust announced that it has worked in close cooperation with Devon and Cornwall Police during the inquiry. A spokesperson for the Trust emphasised, “The charges do not relate to Mr Hopper’s professional conduct and there is no evidence to suggest any risk to patients.” They also reassured former patients and the public, offering a point of contact for any concerns regarding past care.
Despite the gravity of the allegations, Mr Hopper’s achievements in the medical field remain significant. Notably, he carried out hundreds of limb amputation procedures before undergoing his own double amputation. In 2020, his own journey as an amputee saw him honoured on a national stage, as he was awarded the Against All Odds title at the Amplifon Awards for Brave Britons. The ceremony, held virtually, highlighted extraordinary personal resilience and was hosted by BBC presenter Rachel Burden.
The case casts a complex shadow over Mr Hopper’s reputation. He was once regarded as an inspirational figure in the disability and healthcare worlds, his personal story often cited as an example of courage and perseverance. The current criminal proceedings, however, have raised new questions regarding the narrative surrounding his disabilities and his conduct outside professional boundaries.
For present and former patients as well as medical professionals, the unfolding legal developments will bring both uncertainty and concern. Although there is currently no suggestion of wrongdoing in Mr Hopper’s surgical practice, the broader implications for trust and accountability within the NHS are likely to resonate for some time.
The coming court hearings are expected to shed further light on both the details of the case and the supporting evidence brought against Mr Hopper. The Trust has encouraged anyone with questions to reach out to their Patient Experience team either via telephone or email, underlining their commitment to transparency and patient care during what is likely to be a sensitive period.
Observers both inside and outside the medical community await further courtroom developments, as the legal process continues and Mr Hopper responds to these serious accusations.