A man has been fined nearly £7,000 for operating unlicensed tattoo studios in Croydon and Purley.

Terry Brown, 41, was prosecuted by Croydon Council’s licensing team for owning two branches of an unlicensed tattoo company.

Tales of Inkspiration has one branch on Shirley Road in Croydon, and the second on Godstone Road in Purley.

Mr Brown was found guilty on February 25 at Croydon Magistrates Court of four offences: two offences of failing to licence a special treatment premises and two offences for failing to provide details of ownership of the two premises.

The magistrates imposed fines totalling £2,000, a victim surcharge of £800 and awarded costs of £3,949.80 against Mr Brown – a total penalty of £6,749.80.

Mr Brown had been operating Tales of Inkspiration without a special treatments licence at either premises.

It is a legal requirement to hold a licence to give tattoos in Croydon, and the licensing team is responsible for ensuring that businesses have the relevant licences to make them safe and compliant with the law.

Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon, said: “I want to make Croydon a safer and fairer place to live and work for everyone.

“This means that business owners must trade fairly and in compliance with the law and to ensure safe standards.

“We cannot tolerate irresponsible and potentially dangerous trading and will continue to work with businesses to remind them of their legal obligations.”