Police use locksmith to enter tattoo parlour
COUNCIL and police officers used a locksmith to enter Bishopston’s Holey Skin tattoo studio on Friday.
Aron Walton, pictured inset, has refused to close his Gloucester Road parlour during the second coronavirus lockdown imposed on November 5, saying he does not “consent” to the rules.
Mr Walton previously told a police officer he would “be issuing £10,000 fines for any more police visits”.
But police returned to Holey Skin on Friday afternoon.
The tattooist shared footage online at around 1pm, showing at least nine police officers and several Bristol City Council officers serving him a warrant.
It showed an environmental health officer from the council speaking to Mr Walton through the front door.
She said: “We’re here today due to a breach of a prohibition notice.”
Mr Walton said he did not “consent” to the notice which the council had served him on
November 6, demanding he immediately close his business.
But the officer told him: “We are here to execute a warrant of entry. This warrant allows us entry by force into your premises.”
Mr Walton protested: have no wet signature from a judge. You have no authority here. You have no jurisdiction here.
“I stand under common law.
You are committing criminal offences against me right now.”
The video showed the locksmith using tools to break the lock on the front door.
Mr Walton told him: “Don’t blow through the hole please, you could have Covid.”
The footage ended before the officers entered the premises.
Around 3pm police were seen guarding the studio with council officers inside, appearing to gather evidence.
A small group of protesters gathered outside, shouting criticism of the lockdown and Government.
“You
An Avon and Somerset police spokesman said: “We supported Bristol City Council earlier today while it executed a warrant at a business on Gloucester Road.
“A man was arrested to prevent a breach of the peace before later being de-arrested once the warrant had been completed.” A Bristol City Council spokeswoman said: “We are taking appropriate action to ensure the business is adhering to Covid-secure guidelines.”
Mr Walton has presented arguments to officers which appear to be rooted in the “freeman on the land” conspiracy theory that laws only apply to someone with their consent. No such argument has ever succeeded in court.
Common law is created by the judiciary through its decisions in the courts under the principle of binding precedent.
But it is overruled by statutory law, the laws written and passed by Parliament – such as the Covid legislation – under the constitutional principle that Parliament is Sovereign.
Breaching a prohibition notice can lead to a fine of up to £5,000.