Father, 32, who was ‘loved by everyone’ died from organ failure after getting tattoo in makeshift garden shed studio, inquest hears

An ‘adored’ father died after suffering a serious infection from a tattoo he got in a makeshift tattoo studio in a garden shed, an inquest heard.

Ben Larry, of Middlebank Road, Ormesby, died on May 6 last year after getting a tattoo from Tony James Learmount, who operated from a hut in his back garden.

An inquest into the death of the 32-year-old, described by his family as ‘loved by all’, concluded that his leg became infected after the tattoo and progressed to multiple organ failure.

A 35-year-old man was arrested in connection with Mr Larry’s death, but the case was dropped due to ‘evidence issues’.

But this didn’t stop local licensing bosses going after tattoo artist Tony James Learmount and successfully prosecuting him for tattooing in unlicensed locations.

The makeshift tattoo studio run by Tony James Learmount from his back garden in Middlesbrough

The studio was unlicensed and Learmount was banned from tattooing by the same council in 2018

Teesside Coroner’s Court heard Mr Larry’s case leg became infected after tattoo work; aAssistant coroner Paul Appleton concluded he died of multiple organ failure caused by the infection.

He said: ‘This infection was secondary to tattoo work carried out by Benjamin on his right leg on May 1, 2023. Those tattoo works were carried out in unregistered locations.’

A Cleveland Police spokesperson said: ‘Following a police investigation it was decided that due to evidentiary issues no charges would be brought in relation to the death of a 32-year-old man.’

But after Middlesbrough Council launched a case against Learmount, hIn January this year he was found guilty of operating in a garden shed that was not registered for tattooing.

Prosecutor Thomas Durance said on May 9 last year that public protection officers from Middlesbrough Council were contacted by Cleveland Police following the death of a man from sepsis.

Mr Durance told the court: ‘The infection had originally developed around the area of ​​a new tattoo.

‘Cleveland Police investigated and this led to confirmation that the tattoo artist was Mr Tony James Learmount of Donington Green, Middlesbrough – the same location where the tattooing had taken place.’

The council’s case was proven in Learmount’s absence and the magistrates fined the tattooist £1,000, ordered him to pay a victim surcharge of £400 and £300 towards the council’s costs.

Images of Learmount’s studio were previously distributed by Middlesbrough Council after it successfully took him to court over his unlicensed tattooing

Environmental health officials previously warned that Learmount’s work posed ‘a significant risk of harm to human health’ (pictured: his studio)

Cleveland Police previously warned the public about the dangers of unlicensed tattoo artists and urged people to check the Body Art Register before visiting a tattoo artist.

Teesside Live reports that trading in Learmount has been halted to protect public health – with anyone inked by him advised to contact their GP.

The council took action in 2018 after receiving complaints from members of the public about its hygiene standards at several locations in Middlesborough.

When Environmental Health Officers investigated, they found that Learmount posed ‘a risk of significant harm to human health’.

The judges issued an order banning him from practicing as a tattoo artist with immediate effect.

Following Ben’s tragic death, his parents said: ‘Our precious, adored, kind and caring son was loved by all. He touched so many hearts.

“No parent should lose a child, no child should lose their father and no grandparent should lose a grandchild.

“Our hearts are broken, we are so lucky to have our two beautiful grandsons who can keep his legacy and our memories of him alive.”