Former Surgeon Admits to Insurance Fraud

Neil Hopper, a 49-year-old ex-vascular surgeon from the National Health Bureau, pleaded guilty to insurance fraud on Thursday. This rather shocking case involves Hopper injuring himself deliberately to satisfy a sexual obsession.

According to prosecutors, he used dry ice to freeze his feet until amputation was necessary, a process described as stemming from longstanding physical discomfort and a peculiar sexual fixation. The motivation behind his actions included an obsession with self-amputation paired with sexual interest, as stated by the prosecutor.

Documents reveal that Hopper had purchased several videos from a porn site known for showcasing non-medical amputations. He reportedly exchanged around 1,500 messages with the operators of this site. Interestingly, while he expressed remorse for his dishonesty during the surgical process, he showed no regret regarding the amputations themselves.

After his surgeries, Hopper branded himself a “bionic surgeon” and shared his new lifestyle through various media. He was taken into custody in March 2023, and his medical license was suspended in December. He had worked at the Royal Cornwall Hospital NHS Trust for a decade.

While an investigation revealed no evidence of risk or harm to patients, concerns were raised about Hopper’s actions. Allegedly, a friend encouraged him to exploit his insurance claim, totaling $625,000, which he reportedly used to buy a camper van, renovate his home, and even install a hot tub.

Ultimately, he faced a sentence of 22 months for fraud, in addition to another 10 months for possessing extreme pornography.