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Council prosecutes unlicensed tattooist who put customers at risk of infection (9 December 2015)

Date: 09/12/2015
Duncan Lewis, Crime Solicitors, Council prosecutes unlicensed tattooist who put customers at risk of infection

Peterborough City Council has prosecuted an unlicensed tattoo artist in the first case of its kind in Peterborough.

Unlicensed tattoo artist Vladislav Laputs, 25, set up his tattoo parlour in his home in St Martins Street, Millfield in Peterborough – and despite warnings, failed to register the business with Peterborough City Council.

In order to operate a tattooing business legally, both the premises and the tattoo artist must be registered with the city council. During the registration process, council officers check practices and the facilities to ensure the safety of clients.

However, despite warnings from the council, Laputs continued to operate his tattoo parlour from his home, resulting in the city council seeking a search warrant – council officers subsequently raided the illegal business in March, June and August and found evidence of Laputs providing tattoos.

Council officers visiting the premises also found that Laputs did not have adequate infection control procedures in place, putting his clients at risk of infection.

Peterborough City Council says that conditions like those found at the premises can lead to poor tattoos, permanent scarring and – more seriously – life threatening infections like hepatitis and HIV, which can be transmitted by needles.

At Peterborough Magistrates’ Court, Laputs was handed a 16-week prison sentence and ordered to pay court costs totalling £260.

After the hearing, Environmental Health and Safety Officer at Peterborough City Council, Liz Adamson, said:

“This case sends out a clear message to anyone thinking of operating illegally.

“Unregistered tattooists who have not been licensed or inspected by the local authority may have poor cleaning standards and poor infection controls.

“Peterborough City Council will not tolerate unsafe practices that present dangerous risks to our residents. We will use all methods available to us to stop this kind of behaviour.

“Unscrupulous tattooists are able to undercut legitimate businesses because they don’t spend money on equipment, such as an autoclave or steam steriliser.

“This issue is becoming more prevalent as people set up businesses from home – and tattoo equipment is becoming more widely available and cheaper on the Internet.”

Director of public health at Peterborough City Council, Dr Liz Robin, added:

“We urge people to make sure they check both the premises and tattooist is registered.

“Illegal tattooists can leave you with more than just a poor tattoo – low hygiene standards could also put your life at risk.

“If you think you might be at risk of an infection such as hepatitis or HIV transmitted by an illegal tattoo, you can go to a sexual health clinic (ring 0300 300 3030 Monday to Friday 9am-4pm for an appointment) or to your GP to talk about getting a blood test.”

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