A tattooist from Tir-y-Berth who was operating illegally from his home has been fined £4,050 by magistrates.
Evan Hellyar, 39, of Beatty Street, Tir-y-Berth, was carrying out tattooing and piercing services at his home address between April and June of this year, despite not holding or applying for registration in accordance with the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982.
Hellyar was found guilty of four offences at a hearing at Newport Magistrates’ Court on December 5 and was fined a total of £4,050. Magistrates also ordered the confiscation of his equipment. The case was heard in his absence after Hellyar faled to appear at court.
Magistrates were told how members of the public had reported Hellyar to Caerphilly County Borough Council. A search of social media by council officers showed that Hellyar had been offering his services for tattooing or piercing.
The social media pages also contained photographs of tattoo work that Hellyar had apparently carried out.
Despite officers entering his home on April 29, 2014, and seizing all tattoo related equipment, Hellyar bought new equipment and began tattooing illegally again. Officers then entered the property once more on June 23 and seized the new equipment.
Cllr David Poole, Cabinet Member for Community and Leisure Services, said: “Our Environmental Health team have recently secured a number of successful prosecutions against unregistered individuals who clearly have no regard for the health of those people on who they are tattooing or piercing.”
He continued: “This case alongside recent others, should send out two clear messages. To residents wishing to use the services of a tattooist – please ensure that they are reputable and registered. To those tattooists who are operating illegally without registration in Caerphilly county borough – our team are committed to tackling this behaviour and will use all the tools at our disposal to bring about a conviction.”