A 47 year-old tattooist from Bushey has been fined £500 after he smacked the bottom of a teenage girl in his studio.
The court heard on Friday that it was Andrew Booth’s, idea of lightening the atmosphere, but a judge said it was totally inappropriate behaviour.
The incident happened on Saturday January 6 this year when the 17-year-old and her mum walked into the tattoo studio in Watford.
Judge Michael Kay QC was told as the girl discussed with Booth, of Pickets Close, what she wanted he had slapped her on the leg, thinking he was being amusing and swearing.
But after discovering the teenager was still 17 he told her she couldn’t have a tattoo until she was 18.
Prosecutor Laura Blackband said the teenager “rolled her eyes” at her mum and it was then that Booth pulled her towards him.
The court was then told the girl jokingly remarked “Do you want me to sit on your lap” Booth then pulled her across his lap and smacked her bottom four times.
The youngster said it hurt and was embarrassed and her mother could only “look on in disbelief” said the prosecutor.
Judge Kay was told there wasn’t any sexual element to what happened that day and Booth had mistakenly thought he was being funny.
St Albans Crown Court was told Booth had “grossly misjudged” the situation that day and what had happened had been a wakeup call for him.
0 Comments