A Kempston tattoo business owner has been ordered to pay more than £7,300 for illegal tattoo trading and selling fraudulent training courses.
Leah Carey, of Only Studio in The Old Ford, West End Road, Kempston, appeared before Luton Magistrates Court on Tuesday 15 September.
Carey, of The Boulevard, Alconbury Weald in Huntingdon, pleaded guilty to two offences under Section 2(1) of the Fraud Act 2006 and one offence under Section 16(1)(b) of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982, following a joint investigation by Bedford Borough Council’s Trading Standards and Environmental Health teams.
The investigation was opened following complaints about a tattoo training course advertised in 2025 as “accredited” and that attendees would be “fully qualified” to run their own tattoo business.
The court heard there was no evidence to support these claims.
There is no training course recognised by a national training regulator to become a tattooist. Anyone seeking registration must gain suitable practical experience under a registered and experienced tattooist, complete an apprenticeship, and/or undertake training courses on infection prevention and control.
Only Studio had recently registered its tattoo business with the Council when these fraudulent training courses complaints were received, leading to an investigation.
Complaints received by the Council at this time included reports that the business had previously undertaken tattooing before obtaining the required registration, resulting in further evidence being presented to Magistrates.
The court heard that tattooing activities took place illegally without the required tattoo trading registration. Tattooists must register with their local authority before operating to ensure important infection control checks are carried out, that they understand health complications and risks if hygiene and safety standards are not followed, and to make sure infection prevention and control measures are put in place.
Magistrates ordered Carey to pay £4,200 in compensation to two attendees who signed up for the tattoo training course. Carey was also ordered to pay a total of £3,182, including a fine of £1,344, a surcharge cost of £538 and £1,300 in costs awarded to the Council.
Bedford Borough Council reminds businesses not to operate before they are registered, and urges anyone considering a tattoo to check that the tattooist is legally registered and can produce a valid registration certificate, which should be clearly displayed on the business premises.
Residents who have concerns about tattoo businesses operating illegally or who wish to verify them can email ehadmin@bedford.gov.uk
Councillor Andrea Spice, Portfolio Holder for Economic Prosperity, Planning, Housing and Regulatory Services said; “Consumers should be wary of claims that a tattoo training course is ‘accredited’ or that it provides a recognised qualification. A training course recognised by a national training regulator to become a tattooist does not exist.
“Businesses must register with their local authority to ensure important infection control checks are carried out, and that they understand health complications and risks if hygiene and safety standards are not followed. Any business that is unable to demonstrate that they are not a legitimate and registered practitioner could be putting themselves, and most importantly, consumers at risk.
“Registration also provides consumers with confidence that the business is inspected, has suitable practical tattoo experience, has the required understanding and knowledge of infection prevention and control, and reassures them that important infection prevention measures are put in place. Anyone considering getting a tattoo should always check that their chosen practitioner is properly registered.”
Find further advice for consumers and businesses in Bedford Borough at www.bedford.gov.uk/business/trading-standards