Council officers raid man's home after tip-offs about 'potentially dangerous' operation

An unregistered tattooist has been hauled before the courts after numerous complaints about infections, uncovered needles and missed appointments after deposits were paid.

Matthew Cooley, 44, of Stretford, was operating the business from his home on Stothard Road when officers from Trafford Council’s Environmental Health Team executed a search warrant.

Inside they found evidence that he had been tattooing without proper practices such as hand washing facilities and uncovered needles.

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They also recovered a large collection of unwrapped and discarded needles which were stored in a plastic Irn Bru bottle. There was no evidence of a safe facility to dispose of them, Trafford Council have said.

The equipment and paraphernalia were seized before the council authorised a closure order a day after the search.

At Manchester Magistrates’ Court, Cooley pleaded guilty to two charges relating to operating a tattoo business without registering the premises or himself with the local authority, at a previous court hearing in September.

Cooley represented himself and said he was filing for insolvency and had lost his business and his home. The magistrates said that the offences were not ‘victimless’.

The court told Cooley that for the council to consider not seeking a deprivation order – to forfeit his seized tattooing equipment and paraphernalia – he should complete an Infection Control Course, provide proof of registration, evidence of how his would sterilise his equipment, and a written procedure for operating safely in future.

He failed to provide this evidence. Yesterday, December 13, he was fined £80, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £32 and £1,500 court costs. An order was also made to deprive him of all his tattooing equipment.

Cllr Rose Thompson, Trafford Council’s Executive Member for Communities and Safety, said: “Tattooing can be dangerous if it is not carried out hygienically, so it was very important that this matter was dealt with in a timely manner.

“Working together in partnership, the police and the council needed to prevent any further harm being caused to people hoping to get a tattoo. We thank everyone involved in protecting the public from this potentially dangerous operation.”

Anyone who is concerned about a potentially illegal tattoo artist, or wants to check if their artist is registered, can email Environmental.health@trafford.gov.uk.