Mastermind behind extreme body modification ring loses sentence appeal

The mastermind behind the "eunuch maker" extreme body modification ring has lost an appeal against his life sentence.

Warning: The following article contains graphic details of extreme physical mutilation Norwegian national Marius Gustavson, 47, was told he must serve a minimum term of 22 years when he was jailed at the Old Bailey last year. He made almost £300,000 through his eunuch maker website, where thousands of users paid to watch procedures including castrations, the court heard.

The life-changing surgeries, described as "little short of human butchery" by the judge, were carried out by people with no medical qualifications, who he had recruited. Prosecutors said there was "clear evidence of cannibalism" as Gustavson - who had his own penis and nipple removed and leg frozen so it needed to be amputated - cooked testicles to eat in a salad.

Gustavson, who was said to have been involved in almost 30 procedures, pleaded guilty to charges including conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm between 2016 and 2022. Nine other men admitted their involvement in the ring, which one victim said had a "cult-like" atmosphere.

Gustavson and five others jailed over their roles in the plot challenged their sentences. Janus Atkin, 39, David Carruthers, 62, Ashley Williams, 33, were jailed for 12 years, 11 years and four and a half years respectively after admitting conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm (GBH).

Read more from Sky News:Firearms officer faces misconduct hearing over shootingScattered Spider hackers linked to M&S cyber attack Damien Byrnes, 37, was jailed for five years and Jacob Crimi-Appleby, 24, for three years and eight months after pleading guilty to causing GBH to Gustavson. Lawyers for the men argued the sentencing guidelines did not properly take into account a scenario in which people had consented to be assaulted.

But in a 25-page judgment, three judges dismissed the appeals. Lord Justice William Davis said: "The sentences were intended to give a message to anyone minded to engage in highly dangerous procedures involving body modifications.

"That reflected an appropriate purpose of sentencing." The Old Bailey heard extreme body modification is linked to a subculture where men become "nullos.