An international tattoo artist has been given a suspended prison sentence after sexually assaulting a client in a Knutsford studio. Christos Phitides, 32, touched the woman inappropriately and asked if she 'wanted any extra' during a tattoo cover-up appointment in August 2022.
Phitides, of Blackford Road in Sparkhill, Birmingham, admitted one count of sexual assault. He was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to pay £2,000 victim compensation at Chester Crown Court on 11 January. He also received a 10-year sexual harm order.
The victim declined his offer and reported the incident to the studio manager immediately after the appointment. Phitides was told to leave and within an hour had booked a return flight to Cyprus, scheduled for the next day. He later sent a message apologising and requesting the studio refund the victim and deduct the cost from his wages.
He was arrested at Birmingham Airport on 15 June last year upon his return to the UK. Detective Constable Andy Cole said the order prevents him from working in any tattoo studio unsupervised. 'Phitides abused his position of trust as a tattoo artist and fled the country knowing full well what he had done but chose to avoid facing the consequences,' he added.
