A court has heard that Marius Gustavson, 46, known as the 'eunuch maker', claimed £18,500 in disability benefits after willingly having his leg amputated as part of an extreme body modification enterprise. Gustavson was the ringleader of a group that filmed procedures, including genital removal, and streamed them on a pay-per-view website.
Ten men have been charged over their involvement. On Friday, Nathaniel Arnold, 48, Jacob Crimi-Appleby, 23, and Damien Byrnes, 36, appeared at the Old Bailey for sentencing after pleading guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Gustavson. Byrnes was filmed cutting off Gustavson's penis with a kitchen knife, for which he was paid £500.
The court heard that Crimi-Appleby helped freeze Gustavson's leg, leading to its amputation in February 2019. Gustavson later successfully claimed Personal Independence Payment, receiving £18,500 between July 2019 and October 2021. Arnold, a nurse, admitted partially removing Gustavson's nipple and stealing anaesthetic from his workplace.
Prosecutor Caroline Carberry KC said the harm caused was 'so serious and so severe and life-threatening' that hospital treatment was required. Gustavson has previously admitted conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm.
