Rogue Tattooist Defies Ban After Customer's Death from Sepsis
A banned tattooist whose unlicensed work was linked to a man's fatal sepsis infection continued operating from his living room, offering cut-price inkings despite being prohibited from the trade. Ben Larry, aged 32, died in May 2023 after receiving a leg tattoo from Tony Learmount, who had been working from a makeshift shack in his Middlesbrough back garden.
Following the tattoo, Mr Larry's leg became severely infected, leading to multiple organ failure and his tragic death. Learmount was subsequently described as 'a risk of significant harm to human health' and fined £1,700 for running an unlicensed tattoo studio.
Continued Illegal Operations in Squalid Conditions
Despite the ban imposed after Mr Larry's death, the father of two persisted with his illicit trade from a new address, resulting in another customer requiring antibiotic treatment for an infection. Middlesbrough Council officers documented the appalling conditions, with photographs revealing tattoo equipment crammed into filthy drawers in a living room.
Additional images showed cheap disposable razors, used for shaving skin before tattooing, scattered across a stained cabinet. Learmount avoided prosecution over Mr Larry's death due to 'evidential difficulties' but was recently handed a suspended sentence after admitting to tattooing while banned and failing to register properly.
Nigel Larry, Ben's father, expressed disgust upon learning that Learmount had continued operating. 'It's diabolical. I just can't understand it. He just keeps getting away with it,' he said. 'I don't understand why people are still going to him, when they know what happened to Ben. When's he going to get his comeuppance? He just keeps going.'
Defiance and Denial from the Tattooist
Learmount responded to criticism by claiming Mr Larry was a 'close friend' and denying responsibility for his death. 'Just like with getting a tattoo from anywhere, there's always risk of infection,' he stated. 'He was a close friend of mine and it has affected me. I don't even like to mention his name anymore because of it.'
He added that he faced threats and had to withdraw his children from school temporarily due to accusations labeling him a murderer. Describing himself as an 'experienced' tattoo artist who once ran two studios, Learmount has a history of complaints dating back to 2013 and was previously stopped from trading in 2018.
Legal Action and Community Impact
Middlesbrough Council's public protection team took further action after receiving complaints in September 2024 that Learmount was still tattooing. He was taken to court, where he received a 34-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months. The case faced delays after Learmount claimed to be working offshore, sending 'a photo of a beach-like setting in an e-mail' as evidence.
Investigations by The Daily Mail found him living in a terraced house in North Ormesby, a deprived area of Middlesbrough. A neighbour revealed she had been tattooed by him for just £20 about a decade ago, showing faded ink near her collarbone. 'A lot of people around here have had tattoos from him over the years,' she said. 'People take the risk because it is so cheap. You can get an infection from anything - even in a proper tattoo shop.'
When approached for comment, Learmount refused to open his door, threatening to call the police and accusing the inquiry of harassment. A registered tattoo artist nearby criticized his work as 'dogs****', noting that 'people get what they pay for' with his dirt-cheap services.
Ongoing Complaints and Final Consequences
Facebook posts from dissatisfied customers have highlighted complaints about Learmount's work over the years, with one describing a tattoo as a 'total rush job'. Following his conviction, Learmount must pay £500 in costs and £187 in court charges, with his tattooing equipment forfeited and ordered for destruction.
Cllr Ian Blades, executive member for neighbourhoods at Middlesbrough Council, issued a stern warning: 'Tony Learmount ignored the law and put people at risk. I want to send a simple message to people in Middlesbrough - do not get a tattoo from this man.' The case underscores significant public health risks associated with unregulated tattooing practices.
