A man in the United Kingdom described as “staggeringly stupid” has been sentenced to three years in prison for tattooing three children.
Patrick Coe, 31, of Grafton House in Newcastle, deceived the children into thinking he was giving them temporary tattoos, but the designs were permanent, Newcastle Crown Court heard.
Using a home tattoo kit, Coe caused the children pain and forced them to take medication to prevent potential infections, the court was told.
He admitted three counts of child cruelty.
The children reported feeling pain during the tattooing, and Coe’s claim that the small designs would fade proved to be false, Judge Sarah Mallett said.
Hospital treatment was required, including preventative antibiotics for hepatitis and tetanus, and one child suffered a minor infection as a result of Coe’s actions, the court heard.
Upon arrest, Coe insisted he “didn’t see anything wrong” with his actions, though he has since shown some remorse.
Judge Mallett described the tattoos as a “cosmetic disfigurement” and a “permanent injury” which the children “didn’t choose to have.” She added, “This was a staggeringly stupid thing to do.”
