AN ILLEGAL tattooist has been prosecuted by Reigate and Banstead Borough Council.
David Lee Streeton, 25, was found guilty in his absence of running a tattoo parlour from an unlicensed house in Observatory Walk, Redhill.
He was fined £700 by Redhill magistrates on June 3 and ordered to pay a £70 victim surcharge.
James Durrant, the council's portfolio holder for licensing and enforcement, said: "Illegal tattooists cause misery – unpleasant skin and serious infections, including hepatitis B, C and D and HIV, can be passed on through their unhygienic tattooing practices."
They are more likely to illegally tattoo under 18s and customers are unlikely to receive any aftercare, he warned.
Mr Durrant added: "We will track down these illegal tattooists and prosecute.
"Anyone offering tattooing to the public must be registered with us, working in a regulated studio.
"We stringently inspect registered tattooists to make sure their premises, equipment, procedures and practices are hygienic, to protect customers.
"We believe there are many unregistered tattooists working in Reigate and Banstead – if you know of one, or have any information about one, please call our Environmental Health Business Support on 01737 276417."
