A tattoo artist operating without a license has been slapped with fines and costs totaling nearly £2,000 after persisting in his practice despite numerous health and safety violations.
Steven Howarth, aged 34, faced conviction at Burnley Magistrates’ Court, where he was fined £1,000. Additionally, he was ordered to pay a £400 victim surcharge and £510 in costs.
Howarth, residing on Burnley Road in Crawshawbooth, had been promoting his services under the moniker Inkflicted.
The trouble began in August 2023 when Environmental Health and Public Protection Officers, in conjunction with law enforcement, conducted a visit to his establishment. During the inspection, a plethora of unhygienic practices and breaches of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 were uncovered.
Despite the issuance of a prohibition notice and persistent attempts to secure compliance, Howarth persisted in his unregistered tattooing enterprise. As a result, he was found guilty in court of operating his business without proper registration.
This successful prosecution marks a milestone in Rossendale Borough Council’s ongoing campaign to raise awareness about the potential hazards associated with patronizing unlicensed and unregistered tattoo artists.
A spokesperson from the council’s public protection unit emphasized the growing popularity of tattoos and the associated risks of seeking services from unregistered practitioners.
“Unregistered tattooists may operate in unsanitary conditions with subpar equipment. Improper sterilization and lax hygiene standards can significantly elevate the risk of infections and other health complications,” the spokesperson warned.
The council’s stance remains resolute: unlicensed and unregistered tattoo operations that jeopardize public health and safety will not be tolerated.
Moreover, this case underscores the importance of proposed legislative measures. The Health and Care Bill aims to implement a nationwide yearly licensing scheme for all cosmetic procedures, including tattooing and piercing. Public health advocates, in collaboration with the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, have championed amendments to the bill aimed at enhancing safety standards within the cosmetics industry in England.