Tottenham man jailed after cutting off man's penis

Damien Byrnes, 36, of Ashfield Road in Harringay, admitted removing Marius Gustavson’s penis with a kitchen knife on video at his home in 2017.

Afterwards, Byrnes had asked for a copy of the film and was heard to say: “Well that’s one off the bucket list. I never expected that one.”

He was jailed for five years today (January 15) at the Old Bailey.

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The court was told that Gustavson, 46, from Haringey, had been involved in “numerous” extreme procedures including the removal of male genitals, with films featuring on a lucrative pay-per-view “eunuch maker” website.

Described as the ringleader of the extreme body modification group, Gustavson has previously admitted charges including a conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm.

Two other men were also sentenced today (January 15) after pleading guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Gustavson.

Jacob Crimi-Appleby, 23, of Pitwood Green in Epsom, Surrey, admitted freezing Gustavson’s leg, leading to the need for it to be amputated, in February 2019.

He was ultimately sentenced to three years and eight months in prison.

After having the leg removed Gustavson received benefits worth around £18,000.

Nurse Nathan Arnold, 48, of Lexham Gardens, South Kensington, admitted the partial removal of Gustavson’s nipple with a scalpel in the summer of 2019.

Arnold admitted to stealing anaesthetic between 2016 and 2022 from the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital where he had worked.

He also admitted possessing 72 extreme pornographic images that were described by the judge as “graphic and appalling”.

He was handed two years in custody suspended for two years and 100 hours' unpaid work.

Arnold was also ordered to complete 60 days of rehabilitation activity and alcohol treatment.

Jacob Crimi-Appleby (left) and Nathaniel Arnold (right) were also sentenced at the Old Bailey (Image: Metropolitan Police)

The court heard that in December 2016, Byrnes “readily agreed” to mutilate Gustavson for £500, knowing it would be filmed for the money-making site.

But when Gustavson reduced his financial offer, Byrnes said: “I’ve had enough man. I’m cutting your cock and balls off for 50 shitty quid when I was led to believe it’s 500.”

The procedure was eventually carried out, and after Byrnes left, Gustavson called 999 and told the operator: “I tried to do some surgery on my cock”.

He was treated in hospital and discharged after a couple of days and referred to a psychiatric unit for assessment.

When Byrnes did not receive payment, he threatened to go to the police.

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Gustavson responded by saying he would report him for “threats, blackmail and cutting off my cock”.

Over two years, financial records showed Gustavson had paid Byrnes sums totalling more than £1,500, the court was told.

Kate Mulholland, from the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “This was a complex and challenging case where close working with the Metropolitan Police ensured the guilty pleas of the three sentenced today.

“Consent is not a defence to the illegal surgical procedures the men willingly took part in to remove their ringleader’s penis, leg and nipple, in non-sterile and on occasion life-threatening circumstances.”

Reporting by PA.