Bloke who lower off todger to turn into ‘achitect of personal physique’ saved balls in freezer

The ringleader of a bonkers extreme body modifications cult was driven towards the subculture by a desire to be “the architect of his own body” after his marriage tanked, a court has heard.

Norwegian national Marius Gustavson, 46, of Haringey, north London, was involved in “numerous” extreme procedures, including having his own penis removed.

Through his “eunuch maker” site, Gustavson and other “like-minded individuals” carried out multiple mutilations, “the scale of which is without precedent”, prosecutor Caroline Carberry KC previously told the Old Bailey.

READ MORE: ‘World’s most elusive drug lord’ fighting secret health battle but remains ‘untouchable’

Click for more of the latest news from the Daily Star.

The 46-year-old Norwegian required hospital treatment after having his penis and leg removed during body modification procedures.

His defence said the breakdown of his 11 year marriage in 2016 which had “kept him stable”, was a “trigger” for his extreme activities.

“When it came to an end it sent him into a spiral,” his lawyer said. “He had a desire to be the architect of his own body.

“His modification led him to feelings of empowerment. It appears at face value to be something that’s become an addiction for him.”

The lawyer said Gustavson had been diagnosed with body identity integrity disorder, which accounted for his desire to have body parts removed.

Gustavson had not participated in any body modification before the end of his marriage, the lawyer added. He now wished to return to his native Norway, where his views are ‘more aligned [and] likely to be accepted’.

“Arch manipulator” Gustavson previously admitted charges including conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm.

He appeared for sentence alongside six other men who had all admitted their part in the lucrative scheme.

The charges relate to 13 victims who are being safeguarded by specialist detectives. The wide-ranging conspiracy also involved the removal and trade of body parts, the court was told.

Ms Carberry said Peter Wates, a retired former member of the Royal Society of Chemists, had been “in the business of purchasing body parts from Gustavson”.

During a police raid on the South Wales home of David Carruthers, “testicles were found in a chest freezer”, the prosecutor said.

Alexander Greenwood, defending Carruthers, said the testicles found in his freezer were Carruthers’ own.

But for his connection with the “spider web” of Gustavson, Carruthers would “never have troubled these courts”, Mr Greenwood said.

Carruthers was also diagnosed with body identity integrity disorder and removed his own testicles, the court heard.

Gustavson pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit grievous bodily harm, five counts of grievous bodily harm with intent, one count of making an indecent photograph of a child, one count of distributing an indecent photograph of a child and possession of criminal property contrary to Section 329(1) of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

The sentencing hearing continues.

For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.