Crime
West Wales surgeon jailed after freezing his own legs for sexual gratification
Patients fear amputations they underwent may not have been necessary
A FORMER vascular surgeon from Aberystwyth has been jailed after deliberately freezing his own legs to the point of amputation in what a court heard was a sexual fantasy.
Neil Hopper, aged 49, carried out hundreds of amputations during his career with the NHS before having both of his own legs removed. He then falsely claimed that the amputations were the result of illness, defrauding insurers of more than £466,000.
Hopper, who trained and grew up in West Wales before taking up a post at the Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust, appeared before Truro Crown Court on Thursday (Sept 4). The case was heard in Cornwall because the offences were investigated there, though his Welsh roots and past work in Wales mean the case has caused particular concern locally.
Sexual motive revealed
Prosecutors told the court that Hopper had long harboured a sexual desire to become an amputee, and that he deliberately inflicted damage to his legs using dry ice before seeking medical removal.
The court heard that he also admitted possessing extreme pornographic material linked to the notorious “Eunuch Maker” website. Messages showed that he had “dreamt of becoming an amputee” and viewed the injuries as a fulfilment of that fantasy.
Judge James Adkin, sentencing, said Hopper had committed fraud of the “most serious kind,” obtaining insurance payouts under false pretences while maintaining a public image as a courageous survivor of sepsis.
Patients now speaking out
Although the Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust has said there is no evidence to suggest any risk to patients, some of Hopper’s former patients – including those who lost limbs under his care – have contacted medical negligence solicitors to demand answers.
Mike Bird, a partner at Enable Law, said: “This case has caused shock and grave concern among former patients. Some have undergone life-changing surgery and are now worried it may not have been needed. They deserve a rigorous investigation and full support.”
Background
Hopper grew up in Aberystwyth and was once celebrated as a pioneering surgeon, even being shortlisted for a European Space Agency disabled astronaut scheme. He featured in television documentaries and local media portraying him as an inspirational figure who had overcome sepsis.
The revelations that his amputations were self-inflicted, and that he profited financially from the deception, have horrified colleagues and patients alike.
He has now been sentenced to 32 months in prison.
The General Medical Council suspended him from the medical register in December 2023, and he will no longer be able to practise medicine.
Crime
Two men bailed after Fleming Crescent burglary report
TWO men have been arrested following a reported burglary at a property in Haverfordwest.
Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed that officers were called after a residential burglary was reported at Fleming Crescent on Sunday (Apr 26).
The incident is understood to have taken place sometime between 8:35pm and 11:55pm.
Residents reported seeing police tape and several police vehicles in the area at around 9:49pm.
A police spokesperson confirmed that two men, aged 25 and 28, both from Pembrokeshire, were arrested on suspicion of burglary.
Both men have since been released on bail.
Crime
Pembrokeshire hairdresser avoids prison after pub assault
When a Fishguard mobile hairdresser was branded a chav in her local pub, she took umbrage by throwing a glass of gin at the woman who had spoken the words.
But this week Haverfordwest magistrates heard that when the glass shattered into the victim’s face, the woman sustained lacerations to her neck and chin.
Appearing before the Bench was 43-year-old Donna Thomas of White Lodge, Dyffryn, Goodwick, who pleaded guilty to assaulting Hannah Llewellyn, causing her actual bodily harm.
The court was told that Thomas arrived at The Royal Oak pub in Fishguard, at around 8pm on October 18, accompanied by her husband. Approximately an hour later, Hannah Llewellyn arrived.
“The defendant began speaking to the victim and an argument broke out,” said Crown Prosecutor Dennis Davies.
“The defendant hit the victim to her face with a glass which smashed against her face, neck and skin, causing lacerations.”
Photographs of the lacerations were shown to the Bench.
But the probation service stressed that the assault had been prompted by a derogatory remark made to the defendant by Hannah Llewellyn.
“The defendant had had two drinks earlier that evening, she drank two more at the pub prior to the incident, and was tipsy but was aware of what was happening around her,” commented the probation officer.
“She went over to the table where the victim was sitting, her husband introduced her to the victim who he’d known since his school days, and they began discussing land on friendly terms. But the victim then laughed at the defendant’s job, which is a self-employed mobile hairdresser, and called her a chav.
“Without thinking, Donna Thomas went to throw the drink over the victim’s face but she knocked the glass. She didn’t intend to hurt her physically, but just wanted to throw the drink.”
Thomas was sentenced to 18 weeks in custody suspended for 18 months. During this time she must carry out 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 150 hours of unpaid work. She was ordered to pay £750 compensation to Hannah Llewellyn, a £154 court surcharge and £85 costs.
Crime
Farm worker overturns Mercedes when over drink-drive limit
A Pembrokeshire farm worker has lost his licence after overturning his Mercedes when he was over the drink-drive limit.
This week Haverfordwest magistrates were told that at around 3.40pm on January 10, police received reports that a black Mercedes had been involved in a single vehicle road collision on the A487 at Roch.
When officers arrived, they discovered the overturned Mercedes with its driver, Richard James, 45, trapped in the driving seat.
At around 5 pm James was arrested and transported to Withybush hospital where blood samples were carried out. These gave a reading of 112 mcg of alcohol, the legal limit being 80.
James, of Bryn Seion, Solva, pleaded guilty to drink-driving and was represented in court by solicitor Jess Hill who informed magistrates that the defendant had collected items for work on the afternoon in question.
“He’d consumed alcohol the night before and had also taken some prescribed medication,” she said. “He believed he would be safe to drive the following day, but obviously this wasn’t the case.”
Jess Hill added that James is expecting to lose his employment as a farm worker, as the mandatory driving ban will prevent him from driving the vehicles involved with his work.
James was disqualified from driving for 14 months and ordered to pay a £346 fine, a £138 court surcharge and £85 costs.
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