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 contracting a serious infection from a tattoo he got in a makeshift tattoo studio inside a garden shed, an inquest heard.

Ben Larry of Middlebank Road, Ormesby, died on May 6, last year, after he was given a tattoo by Tony James Learmount, who operated from a shack in his back garden.

An inquest held into the death of the 32-year-old, described by his family as being ‘loved by everyone’, concluded his leg became infected after the tattoo work, developing into multiple organ failure.

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

But this did not stop local licensing bosses from going after tattooist Tony James Learmount, successfully prosecuting him for tattooing on unlicensed premises. 

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

He said: ‘This infection was secondary to tattoo work that Benjamin had done to his right leg on 1st May 2023. That tattoo work was performed at unregistered premises.’

A Cleveland Police spokesperson said: ‘Following a police investigation, it was decided that due to evidential difficulties, there would be no prosecution with regards to the death of a 32-year-old man.’

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

Prosecutor Thomas Durance said on May 9 last year, 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 of the tattooist being Mr Tony James Learmount of Donington Green, Middlesbrough – the same location where the tattoo had taken place.’

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

Cleveland Police previously issued a warning to the public of the dangers of unlicensed tattooists, urging people to check the Body Art register prior to visiting a tattooist.

Teesside Live reports that Learmount was stopped from trading to protect public health – with anyone who had been inked by him advised to contact their GP.

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

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

Justices granted an order preventing him from trading as a tattooist with immediate effect. 

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

‘No parent should lose a child, no child should lose their daddy and no grandparent should lose a grandchild. 

‘Our hearts are broken, we are so lucky to have our two beautiful grandsons to keep his legacy and our memories of him alive.’