Two Ipswich tattooists have been fined more than £1,000 between them for two offences which include running an unregistered premises in the town.

It comes after spot checks on tattoo parlours were carried out by environmental officers from Ipswich Borough Council.

After their premises in Great Colman Street was visited earlier this year Texola Von Diablo, of Lady Lane, Ipswich, and Grant Martin, of Masterson Road, Kesgrave, were prosecuted by the council for failing to abide by regulations.

The pair were charged with that on or before February 6 this year they carried on a tattooing business without being registered with the local authority.

They were also accused of failing to display a copy of a registration certificate.

Martin admitted both offences when his case came before South East Suffolk Magistrates Court. Diablo’s case was proven in his absence before the same court.

Diablo was fined a total of £600. He was also order to pay £40 to the victims’ fund and £250 prosecution costs.

Martin was fined a total of £530 and was ordered to pay £27 to the victims’ fund and £250 costs.

After the hearings Councillor Phil Smart, responsible for environmental health at Ipswich Borough Council said: “We have been working with Public Health England to ensure that strict hygiene and other regulations are kept by the growing number of tattooists and body piercing companies in Ipswich.

“It is our job to make sure these businesses and practitioners are registered and to inspect them in the interests of customers’ health and wellbeing, particularly to avoid the potential spread of blood borne diseases” or similar.”