No jail for man in motel testicle surgery

AN aircraft engineer who removed the left testicle of a man who wanted to change genders has been sentenced to a fiveyear good behaviour bond by a NSW judge.

Allan George Matthews surgically removed the man’s testicle in a Port Macquarie motel room in May 2016 after answering an online ad from the victim calling for help to transition gender.

Matthews, 58, was sentenced in Port Macquarie District Court on Friday to a fiveyear good behaviour bond for recklessly causing grievous bodily harm to the 53-year-old local man.

A police investigation began when the younger man presented to hospital a few weeks after the procedure seeking treatment for an infected wound. The court heard the victim had, from 2013, posted on social media about his desire to transition gender. He said he needed help.

Matthews made contact with the man. He allegedly said he was medically trained and had an extensive medical kit and would be “happy to assist you on your path”.

The two arranged to meet in a Port Macquarie motel room for the procedure in midMay 2016.

After the operation, the two men exchanged a series of text messages regarding the wound seeping. A fortnight after the removal, the man saw his GP, who recommended he attend hospital. Detectives subsequently arrested Matthews and searched his Glen Innes home in late June.

Judge Jeffreys 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.

Matthews’ risk of re-offending was low, the court was told.