A MAN is paying the price for running an illegal tattooing and body piercing business in filthy conditions from his home.

Fifteen bags of evidence relating to tattooing and body piercing were found at Trevor Hallcup’s home, Peterlee magistrates were told yesterday (Tuesday 27 October).

After receiving a complaint, Durham County Council carried out checks into Hallcup which revealed that he had a website advertising his tattoo business Kiwi Ink. The company was also advertised on Facebook.

Police and council officers searched the property in Dunn Road, Peterlee, and got inside through a back door as no-one was home.

They entered the kitchen, which was filthy and there were dirty utensils, plates and pans on the worktops and spilt dried food on the floor. There was also tattooing equipment on top of the microwave.

In a cluttered living room they found various items of tattooing and body piercing gear.

While the officers were there Hallcup returned home and confirmed the equipment was his but insisted that he only tattooed and pierced friends and family.

Hallcup said he did not charge for the work and adding he used a baby bottle steriliser for his equipment.

The search of his home also uncovered a tool chest full of tattooing equipment, needles, body piercing jewellery and tattoo ink.

Hallcup denied having a tattoo business or that Kiwi Ink was anything to do with him.

Further investigations revealed that the Kiwi Ink website was registered in Hallcup’s name and at his home address.

The 31-year-old failed to attend court and was found guilty in his absence of running a tattooing and cosmetic piercing business from his home without being registered by the council.

He was fined £440 and ordered to pay a total of £1,493 costs and a £44 victim surcharge.

Michael Yeadon, Durham County Council’s health protection manager, said afterwards: “Anyone running a tattooing or body piercing business has a duty of care to their customers and must be registered with their local authority.

“Illegal tattooing and body piercing can have serious health implications and we would advise anyone thinking of getting a tattoo or piercing to check the premises and artist are properly registered.”