Cornwall surgeon accused of fraud over amputation of his own legs

Neil Hopper was charged after a two-and-a-half-year investigation by Devon and Cornwall police. Photograph: Tom Last/SWNS

A surgeon from Cornwall who carried out hundreds of amputations has appeared in court accused of lying over how he lost his own legs and encouraging another man to remove the body parts of others.

Neil Hopper, 49, a vascular surgeon from Truro, was charged with three offences after a two-and-a-half-year investigation by Devon and Cornwall police.