Website Showing Male Castration Procedures

 

Website Showing Male Castration Procedures Made £300,000, Court Hears

A website featuring extreme body modification procedures, including the removal of male genitals, made nearly £300,000 from its 22,000 subscribers, a court has heard. Marius Gustavson, the owner of the "eunuch-maker" site, and six others carried out multiple mutilations and sold videos of the procedures online.

Gustavson, 46, of Haringey, pleaded guilty to charges including conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm, grievous bodily harm with intent, and possession of criminal property. Six others, including a retired chemist and a veterinary student, also pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit grievous bodily harm.

The procedures, which were filmed and uploaded to the website, included the removal of genitals and other body parts. The website offered varying levels of membership, from "free" to "VIP" which cost £100. The practice is linked to a subculture where men become "nullos" by having their genitals removed.

Prosecutor Ms Carberry KC described Gustavson as an "arch manipulator" who had been involved in "numerous" extreme procedures between 2017 and 2021. The group used a "wide variety of tools" for their procedures, including those used for animal castration.

In one instance, Gustavson encouraged a man in Sweden to cut off his testicles and later his penis during a Facetime call. Police officers found Gustavson's penis in a drawer in his home four years after it had been amputated.

Another victim was branded with the letters "EM" for eunuch maker on the back of his calf. The man later complained to police about Gustavson and his "circle of acolytes", leading to an investigation.

In a victim impact statement, the branded man described Gustavson as a "lunatic" who had put together a "slick, professional website". The sentencing hearing will conclude on Friday.

The case has raised concerns about the dangers of extreme body modification and the exploitation of vulnerable individuals. The website's subscribers were willing to pay to watch videos of the procedures, which were often carried out in unsterile conditions with no medical supervision.

The police investigation and subsequent convictions have brought an end to Gustavson's website and his harmful activities. However, the case serves as a warning about the risks of online exploitation and the need for vigilance in monitoring and regulating online content.