The Pitcairn Trials – Update from the Creators: "The Ironic Bionic Surgeon"

Podcast: The Pitcairn Trials (Always True Crime)
Date: April 9, 2026
Hosts: Luke Jones & Poppy Damon

Episode Overview

This update from the creators of The Pitcairn Trials shifts away from tiny Pitcairn and offers listeners a preview of their new project and the first episode of a spinoff podcast called Strangely. Hosts Luke Jones and Poppy Damon dive into the bizarre and unsettling case of Neil Hopper, a celebrated British vascular surgeon whose double amputation became a media inspiration story—until the truth emerged that his injuries were self-inflicted as part of a fetish community, in contact with notorious criminal "eunuch maker" Marius Gustavsson. The hosts use this story to examine the boundaries of bodily autonomy, consent laws, medical fetishism, and criminality.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction & Future Podcast Plans (01:52)

• Luke Jones announces a new upcoming series about another isolated British island with a scandal, and promotes his new weekly show Strangely co-hosted with Poppy Damon.

2. The Case of the "Bionic Surgeon" Neil Hopper (02:22–07:15)

• Origin and Public Image:

  • Neil Hopper was a widely-respected vascular surgeon specializing in amputations.
  • Suffered double amputation below the knee in 2019; cited sepsis from a camping trip as the cause.
  • Became an activist and public figure: "I might be the only amputee who's been on both sides of the knife" (04:28, Luke quoting Hopper).
  • Shared light-hearted content online, e.g., using his prosthetic as a cupholder; earned awards for bravery and appeared on major UK talk shows.

• Poppy Damon notes:

  • The positive inspirational aspect of Hopper's story, and how it could comfort patients about to undergo similar life-changing surgery (05:19).
  • Is surprised at the high number of annual amputations in the UK (over 8,000) (06:58).

3. Shocking Parallel: The Eunuch Maker and Medical Fetishism (07:15–13:07)

• Luke introduces Marius Gustavsson:

  • A Norwegian man known as the "eunuch maker," who ran a now-defunct website offering live and filmed videos of extreme body modifications: castrations, amputations, and more.
  • The site profited from sexual medical fetishism and included real-life surgical mutilation.

• Poppy's Legal and Ethical Questions:

  • Delves into questions about consent to grievous bodily harm, notably how UK law does not permit consent for such acts (09:31).
  • Asks whether the website and activities are sexually motivated (10:11).

• Luke’s Answer:

  • Acknowledges the sexual gratification ("medical fetishism")—and describes the site as "gruesome and grisly" (12:43, quoting judge’s words from the Gustavsson court case).
  • Reads from judge's statement which highlights the livestreaming and recording of extreme, painful, unlicensed surgeries, profits, and evidence of trophy-taking (13:08–13:55).

Memorable Quote:

"The closeness of what takes place to what I have described as little short of human butchery can be seen all too clearly..." — (13:22, Luke reading court judgment)

4. Hopper’s Secret: Self-Inflicted Mutilation and Fraud (16:08–19:37)

• Revelation:

  • Hopper's amputations were not due to illness—they were self-inflicted as part of his involvement with the eunuch maker community.
  • He purchased videos and exchanged up to 5,000 messages with Gustavsson, receiving advice on self-amputation using dry ice ("It's going to be awesome being a double amputee" – Hopper, via message, quoted by Luke at 16:28).
  • Faked his medical crisis; medical professionals believed his initial claim of sepsis.

• Insurance Fraud:

  • Hopper claimed nearly £500,000 on health insurance for his "medical emergency," not disclosing it was self-inflicted injury (19:37).

• Poppy’s Observations:

  • Points out the legal conundrums—self-harm per se isn’t a crime, but insurance fraud is (20:19).
  • Raises the question of how patients and family would respond upon learning about his secret motivations (24:19).

5. Sentencing and Aftermath (20:48–24:19)

• Hopper was sentenced to 32 months in prison:

  • Two counts of fraud by false representation.
  • Three counts of possession of extreme pornographic images obtained from the Gustavsson website.
  • Maintained, through legal team, that he did not regret the amputation, saying "it was something that he had wanted and dreamt of for a long while" (20:48).

• Broader Implications:

  • The magnitude of others involved or victimized through these sites is unknown (21:56).
  • Raises philosophical and ethical issues: if one desires amputation and does not defraud anyone, is it wrong? How does this differ from elective plastic surgery? (22:22–23:08).

Memorable Discussion:

"If I don't want this belly anymore, I don't want these wrinkles... I don't like this nose..." — Luke Jones (22:58), drawing parallels between body modification desires and plastic surgery.

6. Consent, Criminality, and the Kink Community (23:34–24:33)

• The line between consenting adult kink and criminal inducement to harm.
• Downloading and paying for these videos creates demand—and is likened ethically to downloading child abuse images (23:34).

Memorable Quote:

"Even if you weren't doing this kind of mutilation to yourself, if you're on a website paying for videos of that happening to people... that is creating a market for people to incentivize people [to harm others]" — Luke Jones (23:34)

Notable Quotes

• "I might be the only amputee who's been on both sides of the knife." – Neil Hopper, as quoted by Luke Jones (04:28)
• "There are numerous procedures to remove one or both testicles and/or the penis of many men... the closeness of what takes place to what I have described as little short of human butchery can be seen all too clearly..." – Excerpt from judge's statement, read by Luke Jones (13:22)
• "It's going to be awesome being a double amputee." – Neil Hopper, via private message to Gustavsson (16:28)
• "If you want, you know, a finger off and then your life is better... you're not hurting anyone if you're not claiming any money for it, is there anything wrong with that?" – Poppy Damon (22:58)

Segment Timestamps

• 01:52 — Luke Jones announces new series and Strangely podcast
• 02:22–06:58 — The public persona and tragic story of Neil Hopper; Poppy Damon introduces medical fetishism
• 07:15–13:07 — The Gustavsson case and the world of extreme body modification
• 13:08–16:08 — Court details; Hopper’s connection to Gustavsson
• 16:08–18:51 — Hopper's self-amputation, fabricated illness, and insurance fraud
• 19:37 — Legal ramifications and sentencing
• 22:22–24:33 — Broader ethical, legal, and societal questions
• 24:33 — Episode title revealed: "The Ironic Bionic Surgeon"

Episode Tone and Style

The conversation maintains a curious and darkly humorous tone, with frank discussion of morbid topics, ethical asides, and a dose of bewildered empathy for all involved. Poppy expresses frequent astonishment, pushing legal and moral boundaries, while Luke provides thorough research context.

Conclusion

This special episode offers a compelling, bizarre human story while teasing a new direction for the creators beyond Pitcairn's isolated mysteries. Luke and Poppy blend carefully researched narrative with philosophical insight, delving into the extremes of medical fetishism, deception, and consent, all wrapped in an accessible, engaging conversational style. For listeners drawn to stories about hidden motives and ethical gray zones on the fringes of society, it’s both eye-opening and deeply unsettling.