Marius Gustavson: Mastermind behind ‘eunuch maker’ extreme body modification ring jailed for at least 22 years | UK News

The mastermind behind an excessive physique modification ring that carried out “grisly and grotesque” procedures together with castrations has been jailed for all times with a minimal time period of twenty-two years.

Warning: The next article incorporates graphic particulars of maximum bodily mutilation

Marius Gustavson, 46, ran a “profitable enterprise” sharing photos of “harmful, pointless and life-changing surgical procedures” carried out by folks with no medical {qualifications}, the Previous Bailey heard.

The Norwegian nationwide made virtually £300,000 by way of his open web site “eunuchmaker.com”, which amassed 22,841 customers because it turned more and more skilled.

He marketed his providers, similar to male castration, penis elimination and freezing of limbs, whereas prospects paid to view footage of the procedures or might take out a £100-a-year subscription.

“Arch-manipulator” Gustavson had his personal penis minimize off, the tip of his nipple eliminated, and his leg frozen in order that it needed to be amputated, and recruited like-minded people to help him, the courtroom heard.

Gustavson, who claimed £18,500 in incapacity advantages after shedding his leg and now makes use of a wheelchair, appeared in courtroom for sentencing by video-link from HMP Wandsworth.

The Previous Bailey was advised physique elements, together with testicles, had been stored in takeaway tubs in his freezer, whereas Gustavson’s personal penis was present in a drawer in his dwelling virtually 4 years after it was amputated.

The choose mentioned the exercise would seem to many to be “at the least disgusting and abhorrent”.

He mentioned the procedures, a few of which had been carried out with knives or surgical scalpels, had been “grave and life-threatening issues” with “everlasting and irreversible” outcomes.

“Lots of them could require intensive medical and different help for the remainder of their lives.”

A picture of physique elements stored in his freezer was “little question what you’d regard because the trophies of your acts of finishing up excessive physique modifications”, he advised Gustavson.

“You’re very a lot the mastermind behind this grisly and grotesque enterprise,” he mentioned.

“The motivations of all had been a mixture of sexual gratification in addition to monetary reward.”

Learn extra:
The intense physique modification subculture that led to ‘eunuch maker’

‘Clear proof of cannibalism’

Prosecutor Caroline Carberry KC mentioned he bought physique elements, whereas there “was clear proof of cannibalism” within the case and pictures discovered on Gustavson’s cellphone from 22 June 2018 present “he cooked some testicles for lunch”.

“The photographs, from uncooked components to an artfully organized salad platter, had been found by officers,” she mentioned.

Gustavson, who was mentioned to have been concerned in virtually 30 procedures, pleaded responsible to conspiracy to commit grievous bodily hurt (GBH) between 2016 and 2022.

He additionally admitted 5 extra counts of inflicting GBH with intent, making an indecent picture of a kid, possessing felony property, possessing excessive pornographic photos and three counts of distributing indecent pseudo-photographs of a kid.

‘Cult-like ambiance’

9 different males have admitted their involvement with Gustavson’s ring after one sufferer, who can’t be recognized for authorized causes, went to police after feeling he was “tricked” right into a process whereas underneath the affect of medicine.

He mentioned in a sufferer affect assertion Gustavson created a “cult-like ambiance” round him, which was “charming and mesmerising” and “his veneer of respectability was a masterstroke”.

The prosecutor mentioned the “nature and scale” of the procedures “is with out precedent”.

One sufferer was branded with EM – eunuch maker – whereas a cube recreation was performed to resolve what physique elements can be faraway from one other.

‘Human butchery’

Some required emergency medical remedy following procedures described by the choose as “little wanting human butchery”.

They had been carried out at Gustavson’s dwelling in north London, rented flats or lodges, and the victims, together with a 16-year-old boy, had been promised cash from the video income, the courtroom heard.

Prosecutors mentioned lots of the males who underwent procedures consented to them, whereas all of these charged had been motivated by the sexual aspect of the offences and monetary achieve.

Wished to be ‘architect of personal physique’

Rashvinderjeet Panesar, defending Gustavson, mentioned his “need to be the architect of his personal physique” started throughout puberty earlier than the popularity of physique integrity dysphoria however the modifications had been triggered by the tip of his marriage in 2016.

The procedures gave him “emotions of empowerment and larger acceptance of himself” and he wished to assist others caught in a physique they wished to make adjustments to and “wished to place a smile on different folks’s faces,” he mentioned.

The barrister in contrast the follow to transgender operations however with “individuals who need to be referred to as ‘nullos’ or of impartial gender” and in circumstances “the place authorized medical procedures have not caught up”.

Mr Panesar mentioned that what could also be seen within the courtroom as “wicked, harmful, and pointless is the price of happiness for others”.

Former NHS home assistant David Carruthers, 61, Janus Atkin, 39 – who had studied to be a vet – retired chemist Peter Wates, 67 and Romanian nationwide Ion Ciucur, 30, beforehand pleaded responsible to conspiracy to commit GBH between 2016 and 2022.

They had been jailed for 11 years, 12 years, 12 years, and 5 years and eight months respectively

Carruthers’ associate Ashley Williams, 32, and German Stefan Scharf, 61, additionally pleaded responsible to inflicting grievous bodily hurt with intent and had been every jailed for 4 and a half years.

They’ll all serve two thirds earlier than being launched on licence.

Jacob Crimi-Appleby, 23, Damien Byrnes, 36, and Nathaniel Arnold, 48, have already been sentenced – to a few years and eight months, 5 years, and two years suspended respectively – all having pleaded responsible to GBH.

Crown Prosecution Service specialist prosecutor Kate Mulholland mentioned: “Marius Gustavson ignored the dangers of performing pointless surgical procedure on susceptible males for sexual gratification and monetary achieve.

“He actively recruited contributors by way of his web site and was paid to stream the footage of those barbaric procedures.”