Latest news with #bodymodification
Telegraph
4 days ago
- Telegraph
Former vicar linked to ‘Eunuch Maker' castration cult admits back-street surgery
A former vicar linked to the 'Eunuch Maker' ring performed a back-street surgery on another man's genitals with a pair of scissors. Geoffrey Baulcomb, 79, retired from the historic St Mary the Virgin church in Eastbourne, East Sussex, several years ago, but was still ordained at the time of the offence. A hearing at the Old Bailey heard how Baulcomb was a friend of Marius Gustavson, the imprisoned Norwegian ringleader of an extreme body modification cult operating in the UK. The pair are said to have exchanged around 10,000 messages. On Friday, Baulcomb admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent after using nail scissors to perform a procedure on a man's penis in January 2020. The victim cannot be identified for legal reasons. Baulcomb carried out the unlawful procedure at his home in Filching Road, Eastbourne. He previously admitted seven charges, including distributing an indecent video of a child and making a category A indecent image of a child. Baulcomb admitted making four indecent photos of a child, namely four category B images and making 37 category C indecent images of a child. He admitted three further charges of possessing extreme pornographic images. The charges date between March 4 2020 and Dec 14 2022. The self-styled 'Eunuch Maker' Gustavson mutilated paying customers and streamed it online. The Norwegian, who had his own penis cut off, a nipple removed and his leg frozen so it had to be amputated, was jailed for life last year with a minimum term of 22 years. Police had raided Baulcomb's £25,000 cottage near Eastbourne in December 2022 and found a stash of heroin along with the tranquilliser ketamine. Baulcomb accepted a police caution for possessing the substances and told church officials he had been buying and using drugs, including heroin, 'periodically' for 20 years. The Church of England's disciplinary tribunal had 'utterly rejected' his claim that taking drugs 'assisted him in carrying out his pastoral mission'. Baulcomb was handed a permanent ban from any church position last September. 'Carrying out surgical procedure' Prosecutor Caroline Carberry, KC, previously told the court: 'The images relate to moving images which had been on the 'Eunuch Maker' website. 'Mr Baulcomb is an acquaintance of Marius Gustavson and the evidence discloses over a four-year period he was regularly in touch, exchanging just over 10,000 messages to each other on their mobile phone. 'At the time of his arrest his phone was seized and analysed and as a result of that some material was found which led to this defendant being charged with the offence of section 18 GBH with intent. 'That charge specifically refers to the defendant carrying out a surgical procedure designed to enlarge the opening of the urethra and to use a pair of scissors to do so. 'There is a nine-second video of the procedure being carried out.' Judge Nigel Lickley, KC told Baulcomb on Friday that he would likely face 'a custodial sentence of some length'. He was placed on conditional bail and will be sentenced on Sept 1.
Sky News
4 days ago
- Sky News
Retired vicar admits role in 'Eunuch Maker' extreme body modification ring
A retired Church of England vicar has admitted his role in an extreme body modification ring run by man who called himself the Eunuch Maker. Warning: The following article contains graphic details of extreme physical mutilation Reverend Geoffrey Baulcomb, 79, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent at the Old Bailey after using nail scissors to perform a procedure on man's penis in January 2020. A nine-second video of the incident was found on his mobile phone. He previously admitted seven charges, including possessing extreme pornography and making and distributing images of children on or before 14 December 2022. Prosecutors said some of the material included moving images which had been on the eunuch maker website, run by 47-year-old Norwegian national Marius Gustavson. Gustavson was jailed for life with a minimum term of 22 years last year after a court heard he made almost £300,000 through his website, where thousands of users paid to watch procedures, including castrations. Baulcomb was said to have been an "acquaintance" of Gustavson, and the pair exchanged more than 10,000 messages with each other over a four-year period. Judge Nigel Lickley KC released him on conditional bail as he adjourned sentencing to 1 September but warned he faces a prison sentence "of some length". Baulcomb was formerly a vicar at St Mary the Virgin Church in Eastbourne but retired from full-time ministry in the Church of England in 2003. The diocese of Chichester said he applied for "permission to officiate", which allows clergy to officiate at church services in retirement, when he moved to Sussex the following year. Baulcomb was banned for life from exercising his Holy Orders following a tribunal last year, which heard he was issued with a caution after police found crystal meth and ketamine at his home in December 2022. He had claimed experimenting with drugs or allowing his home in Eastbourne to be used for drug taking would "better enable him to relate and minister to people with difficulties as part of his pastoral care". The diocese said the Bishop of Chichester immediately removed his permission to officiate after being contacted by police, and bail conditions prevented him from attending church or entering Church of England premises. "The Diocese wishes to put on record our gratitude for the Metropolitan Police's pro-active approach to information sharing and partnership working, which has enabled us to manage the risks Mr Baulcomb has presented whilst under investigation," a statement said. The Old Bailey heard last year that extreme body modification is linked to a subculture where men become "nullos", short for genital nullification, by having their penis and testicles removed. Gustavson and nine other men have previously admitted their involvement in the eunuch maker ring, which one victim said had a "cult-like" atmosphere. The life-changing surgeries, described as "little short of human butchery" by the sentencing 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. In interviews from prison, he has told Norwegian broadcaster NRK for a podcast series "Evnukkmakeren" he is "just a very, very kind person who perhaps went a little too far to help people live a better life". Gustavson, who lost an appeal against his sentence earlier this year, said: "What we did, what we perhaps created, what we did, was good and fine. But I think, yes... something might have gone wrong somewhere."
The Independent
23-05-2025
- Science
- The Independent
Archaeologists baffled to find strange 800-year-old mummy with face tattoos
Archaeologists have found never-before-seen tattoos on the cheeks and arms of an 800-year-old Andean mummy, shedding more light on ancient cultural practices in South America. Humans have adopted body modification methods throughout history to conform to prevalent beauty standards, social status and group affiliation, and even for ritual reasons. Among such body modifications, tattooing still exists as a widely practised cultural practice. However, there are very few surviving examples of tattooed skin in archaeological records due to the soft nature of skin. An analysis of existing records of preserved skin with evidence of tattoos suggests that South American coastal deserts have the most preserved tattooed human remains in the world. So, scientists closely assessed a well-preserved female mummy held at the Museum of Anthropology and Ethnography of the University of Turin that had been excavated from a site in the Andes mountains. Radiocarbon analysis revealed that the mummy was over 800 years old. She lived sometime between 1215 and 1382CE. Researchers used two new infrared analysis techniques to look for any tattoos not visible to the naked eye. They were surprised to find tattoos on both cheeks of the mummy's face, including three straight running lines from the ear to the mouth. They also found a wrist tattoo in the shape of an S. Using chemical analysis techniques like x-ray fluorescence and Raman spectroscopy, they determined the tattoos were made using pigments developed from the iron mineral magnetite and another called pyroxenes. The analysis revealed a surprising absence of charcoal, the most commonly used tattoo material reported in literature. 'The results show both rare shapes and anatomical location – lines on cheeks and S-like mark on wrist – and unusual ink composition,' they wrote in the study. The simple tattoos have proved difficult to interpret and identify with any specific culture, however. South American tattoos are typically more complex drawings on hands, wrists, forearms, and feet. Cheek tattoos are rarer. In fact, no other ancient tattoo found in the region so far is comparable to the 'S' motif on the mummy's arm. Given the location of the tattoos on body parts not usually covered by clothing, researchers suspect they may have had a 'decorative or communicative purpose'. However, they add that 'at the moment, it is not possible to attribute either a sort of medical or therapeutic purpose or a cultural provenance' to them. 'To conclude, the research actively contributes in the study of ancient tattoo practice, in particular in South America about eight centuries ago, and highlights the role of museum collections in the analysis of ancient cultures,' researchers noted.
The Sun
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
I let my 12-year-old get her tongue pierced – trolls say it's ‘disgraceful' but I don't care, she wanted it
A MOTHER has revealed that she let her 12-year-old daughter get her tongue pierced. Whitney Ainscough, 31, a mum from Rotherham in South Yorkshire, claimed that people will 'judge' her for it, but she isn't bothered, as it was something her daughter Cora wanted. 6 6 6 Posting on social media, the influencer, who has three children - Cora Bentley, 12, Addison Squires, seven, and Adley Christopher, three - shared a short clip of her and her eldest child whilst in McDonald's. Alongside the clip, the self-professed 'bad mum' wrote: 'Cora got her tongue pierced last week. A lot of people will judge but she wanted it. 'It's been cleaned properly and it's something she wanted.' As the pair tucked into their fast food, Whitney said to the youngster: 'Cora, show us your piercing then…why have you got that done?' To this, the 12-year-old stuck her tongue out to show off her new bling, as she responded: 'Because it looks nice.' In England and Wales, there is no specific legal age to get a tongue piercing. Despite this, some studios may have their own age policies, often requiring parental consent for those under 16 or 18. The 12-year-old then confirmed that the piercing hurt and the swelling was bad, but she would recommend it to other youngsters. To this, Whitney explained: 'Mum tried to talk you out of it and I told you how bad the swelling was. 'You couldn't talk properly, couldn't eat.' My daughter's school put her in isolation for getting her nose pierced but we couldn't care less so I pierced the other side on a Sunday afternoon too The content creator, who has previously been accused of posting rage-bait videos online, then asked: 'Are you happy, though?', to which Cora simply beamed: 'Yeah.' But it appears that Cora doesn't want to stop there, as she shared: 'I just want my thirds done next, then I'm done.' Different parenting styles explained There are four recognised styles of parenting explained below: Authoritarian Parenting What some might describe as "regimental" or "strict" parenting. Parents with this style focus on strict rules, obedience, and discipline. Authoritarian parents take over the decision-making power, rarely giving children any input in the matter. When it comes to rules, you believe it's "my way or the highway". Permissive Parenting Often referred to as "soft parenting" or "yes mums/dads". Permissive parents are lenient, only stepping in when there's a serious problem. They're quite forgiving and they adopt an attitude of "kids will be kids". Oftentimes they act more like friends than authoritative figures. Authoritative Parenting Authoritative parents provide their children with rules and boundaries, but they also give them the freedom to make decisions. With an authoritative parenting style, parents validate their children's feelings while also making it clear that the adults are ultimately in charge. They use positive reinforcement techniques, like praise and reward systems, as opposed to harsh punishments. Neglectful or Uninvolved Parenting Essentially, neglectful parents ignore their children, who receive little guidance, nurturing, and parental attention. They don't set rules or expectations, and they tend to have minimal knowledge about what their children are doing. Uninvolved parents expect children to raise themselves. They don't devote much time or energy to meeting children's basic needs. Uninvolved parents may be neglectful but it's not always intentional. A parent with mental health issues or substance abuse problems, for example, may not be able to care for a child's physical or emotional needs consistently. But to this, Whitney clapped back and confirmed: 'I was 31 when I got my tongue pierced. 'You've got your belly, your tongue, two [sets] of ear [piercings], you've had your rook and your helix.' Social media users react The TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @ itsmebadmom, has clearly left many open-mouthed, as at the time of writing, it had quickly amassed 598,500 views, 14,400 likes and 931 comments in just two days. Social media users were horrified that Whitney would let her daughter get her tongue pierced and many eagerly raced to the comments to express this. One person said: 'Your parenting once again is shocking.' Another added: "She's too young.' A third commented: 'All them piercings at 12! That's so wrong!' Meanwhile, someone else wrote: 'I'm shocked a piercer would do this, they are supposed to be 18 years of age.' Whilst another slammed: 'Wow that's absolutely ridiculous.' Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club 6 6
The Sun
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
I was sick of men ignoring me so spent £156k covering my body in tattoos including my armpits & looked VERY different before
A WOMAN who claims nobody noticed her has transformed her body with tattoos. Cigno, a former tech worker, has spent over £156,000 on ink – with tats everywhere including her armpits, cheeks and nose – and refers to herself as a 'human cyborg'. 3 3 3 She claimed she once was 'the girl no one noticed' – but is now constantly fending off evil trolls who say 'no man will want me' because of her tattoos. Despite getting flak for her unusual appearance, the influencer, who has 105,000 followers on Instagram, has no regrets. She believes her tattoos are a 'power move' and have helped her turn from a 'nerdy' child to an 'unforgettable' woman. 'I started this journey as the girl no one noticed,' Cigno told What's The Jam. 'Bullied, overlooked, told I was 'too quiet' or 'too nerdy.' 'So I transformed by losing 50lbs, started sculpting my body and turned my skin into a statement. 'My ribs and sternum were my most painful, brutal, in fact. 'But pain is part of the ritual. Every tattoo is a power move. 'Some people drop [this kind of money] on cars or handbags. 'I wear my investment every day – and I never need to flex with a purse or a man.' I've spent £52k on body modifications & split my tongue - trolls say I look like a 'demon' The influencer's new look doesn't come without its challenges. She said: 'Some people stare, some compliment me. 'Others mutter that I'm 'a waste' and trolls say no man will want me. 'Newsflash: I'm not here to be wanted. I'm here to be unforgettable. Which tattoos hurt the most? Depending on what part of your body you choose to ink, tattoos can range significantly in terms of pain levels. Some of the most painful areas are those where the skin tends to be thinner or closer to the bone. Each area has specific factors which contribute to the level of pain. Ribcage: Thin skin, little muscle, and many nerve endings. Feet and ankles: Many bones, tendons, and nerve endings close to the surface. Hands and fingers: Many bones, tendons, and nerve endings, resulting in increased pain during tattooing. Knuckles can be especially painful. Spine: Proximity of the spinal cord and nerve endings makes it sensitive. Tattooing directly over the vertebrae can be especially painful. Knees and elbows: Thin skin and little padding between the skin and the underlying bones. Armpits and groin: High concentration of nerve endings and lymph nodes. Neck and throat: Thin and sensitive skin, with many nerve endings and blood vessels close to the surface. Source: Tatt2Away 'Men who can't handle that can scroll on.' 'Funny how the loudest critics are always the ones who'd never survive a day living unapologetically. 'I see the woman I built from scratch. I'm not chasing beauty standards.' Despite having very little skin left that hasn't been inked, Cigno isn't finished yet. The German native who lives in California, added: 'I'm curating a look that blends bold body art and high fashion. 'My tattoos aren't random. They follow my physique and elevate my style. 'I'm not just inked—I've created a 'CIGNature' aesthetic that's as powerful as it is feminine. 'People assume tattooed women are wild, uneducated, desperate for attention. 'I hold a master's degree and run a business. I'm tattooed, feminine, and financially independent. 'I'm not a stereotype. I'm the exception.'
