A 58-year-old man has avoided jail after he performed an unauthorised surgery to remove another man’s testicle in a motel room last year.
Allan George Matthews surgically removed a then-52-year-old man’s testicle in a Port Macquarie motel room in May 2016, after answering an online ad from the victim calling for a gender reassignment surgery.
The aircraft engineer was placed on a five-year good behaviour bond by Judge Clive Jeffreys at the Port Marquarie District Court on Friday.
‘It’s an unusual case,’ the judge said.
Allan George Matthews surgically removed a then-52-year-old man’s testicle in a Port Macquarie motel room in May 2016
‘There was no payment or favour offered or sought between the offender and the complainant.’
The judge said he believed the testicle procedure was performed with the consent of the complainant and out of genuine motivation to help with his gender transition.
A police investigation began when the victim was told, by his doctor, to go to hospital a fortnight after the procedure to seek treatment for an infected wound.
Hospital staff quickly realised the procedure hadn’t been performed by a qualified person and therefore informed the police.
Detectives subsequently arrested Mr Matthews and searched his Glen Innes home in late June.
They seized medical and electronic equipment, four bottles of what they suspected to be amyl nitrate and firearms.
Mr Matthews performed the surgery after answering an online ad from the victim calling for a gender reassignment surgery
The court heard the victim had repeatedly posted on social media about his desire to transition gender since 2013.
Mr Matthews eventually made contact with the man and the two exchanged a series of text messages, before agreeing to meet in a motel room.
It was alleged Mr Matthews said he was medically trained, had an extensive medical kit and told the man seeking gender reassignment he ‘would be happy to assist you on your path’.
Mr Matthews later pleaded guilty to recklessly causing grievous bodily harm and removing tissue from the body of another without authority.
The aircraft engineer was placed on a five-year good behaviour bond by Judge Clive Jeffreys at the Port Marquarie District Court on Friday
He also pleaded guilty to possessing or attempting to prescribe a restricted substance and firearms offences.
Judge Jeffreys’ said he’d taken into account the contrition demonstrated by Mr Matthews’ guilty pleas.
The judge said significant media attention meant the 58-year-old had suffered serious loss as a result of the case.
Mr Matthews’ 38-year career as an aircraft engineer was over, and he now lives in a caravan park in Queensland where he does casual work.
The court was told Mr Matthews’ risk of re-offending was low.