Met detectives dedicated hours of police work to ensure three men were sentenced after they inflicted serious life-changing injuries on a man aged in his 40s.
Officers viewed hours of distressing footage, travelled across the UK to search for victims and witnesses, and liaised with UK and overseas police forces to bring the men to justice
The victim contacted the three men to arrange illegal operations which resulted in them removing parts of his body, leaving him with irreversible, life changing injuries.
Detective Inspector Amanda Greig, from the Met’s Specialist Crime, said: “This has been a prolonged investigation which was extremely challenging due to the complexity of the offences. There was an immense volume of horrific material which my team had to view in order to identify the victim and offenders.
“The offenders are part of a wider network of men who have taken part in illegal back street operations, frequently with life threatening consequences. We have identified the network which spans across the UK and overseas, leading us to share intelligence with numerous police forces. We are aware that illegal operations committed by others have impacted various people including those with complex body-dysmorphic symptoms and people within the LGBT+ community.”
“I would like to encourage anyone who has had similar experiences to seek medical advice from their GP and contact us via Crimestoppers (0800 555 111) quoting Operation Vicktor. You can also contact LGBT+ anti-abuse charity Galop on 0800 999 5428.”
The three men were sentenced on Monday, 15 January, at the Old Bailey after pleading guilty in separate hearings at the same court in 2023.
Jacob Crimi-Appleby, 23 (20.10.00) of Pitwood Green, Tadworth has been jailed for three years and eight months for causing GBH with intent.
Damien Byrnes, 36 (15.8.87) of Ashfield Road, Haringey, has been jailed for five years for causing GBH with intent.
Nathaniel Arnold, 48 (10.4.75) of Lexham Gardens, Kensington has been sentenced to a two year prison sentence, suspended for two years, 100 hours of Community Service, Rehabilitation and Alcohol Treatment Order course for causing grievous bodily harm with intent (GBH) and for the theft of Lidocaine whilst working at a hospital between January 2016 and January 2022.
The investigation began in early 2021 and the three men were arrested between December 2021 and September 2022.
Anyone who has any further information should contact police on 0208 785 8267 quoting Op Vicktor. Alternatively, you can provide information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.
