Newcastle Dad Jailed for Tattooing Kids with Home Kit
Patrick Coe, 31, has been locked up for three years after giving three children permanent tattoos with a DIY kit. The judge branded his actions “staggeringly stupid.”
Temporary Tattoos Turned Lasting Scars
Coe, from Grafton House, pleaded guilty to three counts of child cruelty at Newcastle Crown Court. The kids believed they were getting harmless, temporary tattoos. Instead, Coe’s at-home tattooing left them with painful, permanent marks. Judge Sarah Mallett revealed the children complained about the pain during the process. Coe lied, telling them the tattoos would fade – but they never did.
Children Hospitalised with Infections
- All three children needed hospital treatment.
- They were given antibiotics to prevent hepatitis and tetanus infections.
- One child developed a minor infection from the tattoos.
- Each suffered lasting pain and required medication to combat infection risks.
When arrested, Coe claimed he “didn’t see anything wrong” with his actions, though he later expressed some remorse.
Judge Slams Permanent Damage as ‘Cosmetic Disfigurement’
“This was a staggeringly stupid thing to do,” Judge Mallett said. “You caused permanent injury and cosmetic disfigurement to children who had no say in the matter.”
Coe will serve three years in prison for his reckless cruelty. The court stressed these were no fancy tattoos – they left lifelong scars on innocent kids.
