MALE ESCORT JAILED FOR REMOVING MAN'S GENITALS IN GRUESOME ATTACK
A male escort named Damien Byrnes, aged 36, was sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to causing grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent by removing a man's genitals.In February 2017, Byrnes used a kitchen knife to cut off the penis and testicles of Marius Gustavson, who had agreed to the procedure.
Court reports reveal Byrnes was involved in a subculture where men, called "nullos," undergo extreme body modification procedures, including genital removal.
Byrnes, from Tottenham in north London, was hired by Gustavson, who called himself "the eunuch-maker," and had been involved in numerous similar procedures involving other men's genitals.
Prosecutor Caroline Carberry KC explained that Byrnes knew the mutilation would be filmed for a pay-per-view website but went ahead, despite Gustavson reducing the payment from £500 to £50.
Before the operation, Byrnes warned Gustavson about blood loss, saying, "I have no issue with it but won't you lose a lot of blood, like nearly die?" The procedure was recorded in disturbing footage, where Byrnes was heard stating, "Well that’s one off the bucket list.
I never expected that one." After the mutilation, Gustavson called emergency services; he was treated in hospital and discharged a few days later, with a referral for psychiatric assessment.
Byrnes was arrested in 2022 and admitted his actions, claiming financial difficulties and that he had vomited after the procedure.
His accomplices, Jacob Crimi-Appleby and Nathan Arnold, also participated in the mutilation, with Crimi-Appleby freezing the victim's leg in dry ice and Arnold mutilating a nipple.
Crimi-Appleby, from Epsom, was sentenced to three years and eight months in prison, while Arnold received a two-year suspended sentence.
The court emphasized that consent does not justify such illegal and life-threatening procedures, which were conducted in unsterile conditions.
The investigation involved extensive efforts by police, and authorities have urged anyone with similar experiences to seek help.
Byrnes expressed remorse, stating he was "appalled and ashamed" of his actions.
