Surgeon admits fraud over amputation of own legs

"Truro Crown Court heard he lied to insurers by claiming that injuries to his legs were the result of sepsis and not self-inflicted. It heard that in May 2019 Hopper had below knee amputations after a "mysterious illness". In fact he had used ice and dry ice to freeze his own legs so they had to be removed, the court heard. It heard Hopper had a "sexual interest in amputation"."

"The fraudulent insurance claims from two firms totalled more than 466,000 the court heard. He was tempted by "greed" the court was told. He had messaged a friend about the claims saying he should "milk it". More than 50,000 of insurance money was sent to wife, 22,000 on a camper van, another 255,000 on building works and home improvements and a hot tub."

Neil Hopper, a 49-year-old vascular surgeon from Truro, carried out hundreds of amputation operations before having both legs removed in May 2019. He used ice and dry ice to freeze his own legs, causing injuries that required below-knee amputations. He lied to insurers by attributing the injuries to sepsis rather than self-infliction and admitted two counts of insurance fraud after claiming more than 466,000 from two firms. Prosecutors said he also had a sexual interest in amputation and admitted three counts of possessing extreme pornography. Insurance money was spent on his wife, a camper van, home building works and a hot tub.

Read at www.bbc.com