Cruel bully tattooed swastika on friend as 'joke went too far'
'Bully' Gareth Ferns tattooed a swastika on his 'friend' after months of humiliating him. The 35-year-old took his victim to live with him at his Longton home.
But he took advantage of the drug user's vulnerabilities by making him carry out chores such as clearing up dog poo at his house. He also attacked him physically with a brick and threw a set of garden clippers at him.
The 'harassment' culminated with the defendant tattooing a swastika on his victim. Now Ferns has been sentenced to two years in prison, suspended for two years, at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court.
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Prosecutor Nick Berry said the victim was seen with blood on his tracksuit bottoms in Park Hall Road, Longton, on September 16, 2022. Police arrived and took him to Leek. On the way the man began to tell officers of the 'treatment' he had suffered at the hands of the defendant.
He had moved into his own flat in Leek but his mental health had deteriorated. Mr Berry said: "The defendant and others had threatened him with violence when he was in his own flat.
"He was told to go to the defendant's address in Longton. He was given jobs to do, house chores, washing up, cleaning, hoovering and cleaning up dog poo.
"He was assaulted by Ferns with a brick. Garden clippers were thrown at him when he was not quick enough completing a job. On occasion he was punched and kicked."
The court heard there were pictures and videos of the victim found on the defendant's phone. Mr Berry said: "The victim gave an insight into the degrading and bullying behaviour while living with Ferns.
"Ferns had brandished him using a tattoo machine with a swastika and the letters SBS (SilverBack Security)."
Ferns was arrested the following day on September 21. He said the victim asked to be tattooed and he had not been there when it was done. He denied making him work. He said the victim was a 'jackass' and did stupid things for drugs.
Mr Berry added: "He physically assaulted him and bullied him through humiliation. That is the prosecution case."
In a statement, the victim said Ferns preyed on his vulnerability. He described the behaviour as cruel and callous. He was mocked in front of others and belittled. He said he really believed Ferns was going to hurt him. The tattoo was a step too far. He said Ferns did it to make him look racist which he is not.
Ferns, of Oldway Place, Longton, pleaded guilty to harassment and wounding.
David Farley, mitigating, said Ferns and the victim were once friends. He said the victim had a drug habit and was living in squalid conditions. Mr Farley said: "He was being used by local drug users to use his property and Ferns wanted to get him out of that environment for his own good.
"The victim was not living in fear or terror all the time. He was in good spirits in many of the videos. There are videos that display a darker side that have turned into bullying.
"He is regretful how it turned out. That friendship has gone. He realises he did go too far."
Mr Farley said Ferns suffered a serious heart attack more than two years ago. He has reduced his drug use and set up a caravan business.
As part of the suspended sentence Ferns must complete a rehabilitation activity requirement for 15 days and a six month monitoring tag. Judge Graeme Smith said: "This is a very unusual case as the victim came to live with you between June and September, 2022. He was vulnerable due to mental health issues and drug abuse. Prior to coming to live with you he was living in squalid conditions on his own.
"I accept he was in need of drugs and you would do things which were effectively a joke which you took too far."
The judge added the tattoo was 'crude' and no doubt causes the victim considerable embarrassment. Ferns was ordered to pay £750 compensation to enable his victim to have the tattoo removed. He was made the subject of a restraining order which prevents him contacting his victim for five years.