Boss fined for botching laser removal of tattoo Cheap equipment left customer with lasting nerve damage
THE boss of a tattoo parlour has been fined £1,200 after a customer suffered nerve damage following laser treatment.
Laura Kellett was twice rushed to hospital following the botched removal of a tattoo by an untrained member of staff using a cheap laser bought off eBay.
Birmingham magistrates were told Miss Kellett may have suffered long-term damage after the procedure on her left foot at Finelinez Limited in Marston Green.
Daniel Tanner, the director of Finelinez, was fined £1,200, ordered to pay £500 costs and a victim surcharge of £170.
The company, based in Walsall, was also handed the same penalty.
Tanner and the company both admitted two charges under the Health and Safety at Work Act.
Ms Kellett visited the premises in Station Road on January 7 this year to have the tattoo removed. But Santokh Gill, prosecuting for Health and Safety, said she suffered pain and blistering after the treatment and later made two visits to A&E, plus several more trips to her GP.
“She has since been referred to a consultant and tests are ongoing,” he said. “However, long-term damage is likely.
“There is evidence of nerve damage and lack of sensation and movement in the foot.”
He said tattoo removal lasers normally cost thousands of pounds, but Tanner, who also had a parlour in Great Barr, bought one ‘cheaply’ on eBay in 2015.
The court heard no instructions had come with the laser and it was used by an employee with no formal training, although on the company website she was described as an “experienced laser operator”.
“She had never used a laser before and her previous experience had just been in body piercing,” said Mr Gill, who added that no eye-protection was offered to the customer or any aftercare.
He added the laser had also not been used in a controlled environment to prevent inadvertent exposure to the beam, and that the company had received a prohibition banning the use of it.
The total lack of support and training given to staff is really disturbingc Chairman of the bench Paul Watson
Passing sentence, chairman of the bench Paul Watson said: “It is a very disturbing set of circumstances we have been faced with.
“The potential for significant injury not only to yourself but also to your employees and customers is frightening.
“We have heard the way in which you obtained the machinery through eBay, which is indicative that the purchase was pretty risky. The total lack of support and training given to staff is really disturbing.”
Tanner apologised to the court for what had happened and said nothing like it would happen again, adding that he had now shut down the business.