Leeds skin piercer feels the pinch after failing to register services

A skin piercer has been successfully prosecuted by Leeds City Council for refusing to register his services.

Mr John Powell (also known as Jonny Demonic Doll) was fined £220 and ordered to pay £1850 costs and a £30 victim surcharge after being found guilty at Leeds Magistrates Court on Friday 5 May of operating out of Fresh Blood Tattoo at 264 Tong Road in Farnley without being registered.

Mr Powell (aka Mr Doll) continually refused to register as a skin piercer which is required by law. Despite numerous warnings from Leeds City Council’s environmental health case officer and assurance from Mr Powell himself that he would not operate until being registered with the council, he continued to practise openly advertising his services on social media.

Section 16 (1) of The Local Government (Miscellaneous) Provisions Act 1982 (as amended) states that all skin piercing operators must be registered with their local authority to ensure the correct hygiene procedures are followed.

In order to be registered, skin piercers must complete the application form as at http://www.leeds.gov.uk/Business/Pages/SkinPiercing.aspx and make payment for a one-off charge of £120. Following registration the operator’s premises will be inspected by an officer from the council’s health and safety team.

Mr Powell did not attend court and was not represented, with the case being heard in his absence.

Leeds City Council executive member for environment and sustainability Councillor Lucinda Yeadon said:

“All operators in the skin piercing industry need to be registered with the local council – it is a mandatory requirement so must be done before any business can begin operating.

“The regulations are in place to protect the health of customers so for anyone considering entering this industry please follow all the hygiene and regulatory requirements or the repercussions could be significant as in this case.”

ENDS

For media enquiries contact:

 Leeds City Council communications team on 0113 3786007

communicationsteam@leeds.gov.uk