Marius Gustavson, 46, the leader of a network that streamed extreme body mutilations on his 'eunuch maker' website, has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 22 years. The judge at the Old Bailey described the enterprise as 'grisly and gruesome' and 'little short of human butchery'.
Gustavson, a Norwegian national, was involved in at least 29 procedures including castrations, penis removals, and the freezing of limbs. The court heard that the four-year operation took more than £300,000 from 22,841 paying subscribers worldwide between 2017 and 2021.
Prosecutor Caroline Carberry KC told the court there was 'clear evidence' of cannibalism, with Gustavson cooking testicles for lunch. He also kept body parts as 'trophies' in a fridge and sold severed genitalia online. The procedures were carried out with kitchen knives and livestock implements, leaving victims in need of medical attention.
Judge Mark Lucraft said Gustavson was the 'mastermind' behind the enterprise, which involved a 16-year-old boy being subjected to electric shocks. Six other defendants admitted conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm, including Peter Wates, 67, who was sentenced to 12 years after officers found body parts in a tub of butter at his home.
Gustavson pleaded guilty to multiple charges including conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm, five counts of grievous bodily harm with intent, and making an indecent image of a child. The judge said the motivation was a mix of sexual gratification and financial reward.
