Leah Carey, owner of Only Studio tattoo business in Kempston, was ordered by Luton Magistrates Court to pay over £7,300 for illegal trading and selling fraudulent tattoo training courses. Carey pleaded guilty to offences under the Fraud Act 2006 and 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 prompted by complaints about a 2025 tattoo training course advertised as "accredited" and qualifying attendees to run their own tattoo business, claims unsupported by any recognised national training regulator.
The court also heard that Only Studio conducted tattooing activities without the required local authority registration, which is mandatory to ensure hygiene and safety standards. Carey was ordered to pay £4,200 in compensation to two course attendees and additional fines and costs totalling over £3,100. Bedford Borough Council emphasised that no nationally recognised tattoo training accreditation exists and urged consumers to verify practitioners’ registration to ensure safety and compliance.
Read the full story: Bedford Independent local news.
Source: Bedford Independent local news. Aggregated summary, not independent reporting.