"Staggeringly stupid" man gave permanent tattoos to three primary age schoolchildren

Patrick Coe's young victims had to undergo medical tests, have hepatitis and tetanus jabs and are now marked with motifs on their bodies for life.

Newcastle Crown Court heard Coe, whose aftercare comprised of cleaning with a baby wipe, "didn't see anything wrong with it".

Prosecutor Jessica Slaughter said the victims were left anxious, traumatised, scared about getting in trouble, one said the pain was "seven out of ten" and another "hates" the tattoo.

Coe, 31, of Grafton House, Newcastle, admitted three charges of child cruelty and has been jailed for three years with a ten year restraining order.

Judge Sarah Mallett said: "You suggested they were temporary or would significantly fade and that is not that case."

The judge said the children were left with "cosmetic disfigurement" which is a permanent injury and added: "The tattoos are small but clearly visible and a permanent reminder of you and this.

"This was a staggeringly stupid and foolish thing to do and also a very harmful thing to do."

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Brian Hegarty, defending, said: "There's little I can do to mitigate the stupidity of his actions.

"It is frankly staggering and defies belief he could be so foolish.

"He has come to appreciate just how ill-judged his actions have been and acknowledges how wrong he was.

"He is deeply remorseful he has caused any pain at all to the children."