A tattooist charged with breaching health and safety laws while operating from his home address had his case adjourned after telling a court he was working and living abroad. Tony James Learmount wrote to officials at Teesside Magistrates' Court describing how he was working offshore and sent a photo of a beach-like setting in an e-mail.

The defendant, who failed to show up for his hearing, also said in the document that he did not tattoo anymore, the court heard. The 37-year-old, of Donnington Green, Middlesbrough , is charged with contravening a health and safety at work prohibition notice which last year barred him from tattooing at his home address until the premises had been registered and inspected.

It is also alleged that he failed to make a suitable and sufficient assessment

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