'Dr Evil': Wolverhampton modification artist admits GBH Published duration 12 February 2019

media caption Brendan ‘Dr Evil’ McCarthy admits GBH for performing tongue splitting and nipple removal

A body modification artist has admitted three counts of grievous bodily harm, by carrying out tongue splitting and ear and nipple removal procedures.

Brendan McCarthy, also known as Dr Evil, carried out consensual procedures without using anaesthetic.

In his defence, the 50-year-old argued that consent was given but the judge ruled the procedures could not be compared to tattoos and piercings.

He will be sentenced on 21 March at Wolverhampton Crown Court.

McCarthy, of Bushbury, Wolverhampton, ran a modification emporium in Princess Alley before he was charged with six counts of wounding in 2017.

Warning: This article contains graphic imagery.

image copyright PA image caption Brendan McCarthy ran Dr Evil's Body Modification Emporium

He was arrested in December 2015 following a complaint to City of Wolverhampton Council's environmental health team.

A petition in support of McCarthy amassed more than 13,400 signatures and his lawyer challenged the charges on the basis that his customers consented.

His supporters argued "for the right to express ourselves in whatever modified manner we wish in a safe environment".

The council said its issue was with McCarthy's lack of licence to carry out the modification procedures and the need for more regulation in the industry which delivers results "akin to cosmetic surgery".

Dr Samantha Pegg, a law lecturer at Nottingham Trent University and expert on the legality of body modification procedures, said: "Practitioners have assumed that extreme body modifications, as forms of body adornment, were lawful when consent was given.

"Although the law has long accepted that tattooing and piercing are lawful activities there has not - until this case - been any consideration of other forms of body modification such as tongue splitting."

image caption McCarthy no longer runs Dr Evil's Body Modification Emporium in Princess Alley

Passing verdict, Judge Amjad Nawaz ruled that written consent from his customers was not sufficient defence.

The tattooist has spent two years arguing his case, contending at the Court of Appeal that the procedures should be regarded as lawful to protect the "personal autonomy" of his customers.

Judge Nawaz drew the distinction between body modification and tattoos and piercings, saying there is "no proper analogy".

"What the defendant undertook for reward in this case was a series of medical procedures for no medical reason," he said.

'Grey area'

image copyright Wolverhampton City Council image caption McCarthy removed a client's ear in 2015 at his studio in Wolverhampton

Dr Pegg said the case has "partially clarified what was previously a grey area of the law".

Although consensual, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said these were "significant surgical procedures" but McCarthy has no medical qualifications, nor is he registered with the General Medical Council (GMC).

"Surgical procedures must be carried out by properly trained, qualified and regulated surgeons or healthcare professionals," senior prosecutor Rhiannon Jones said.

GMC guidance says doctors must be appropriately trained and experienced before practising cosmetic procedures.

It adds doctors must consider their patients' psychological needs and follow protocols for safe interventions.

Speaking before Tuesday's hearing, McCarthy told the BBC the situation was "crushing".

"It's crushed me completely, I'm a shadow of my former self," he said. "I don't feel I've done anything wrong."

Nick Pinch went to McCarthy to have his nipple removed after previous piercings caused a build-up of scar tissue.

image caption Nick Pinch went to McCarthy to have his nipple removed

The procedures carried out on Mr Pinch formed part of the prosecution's case.

Mr Pinch said: "[McCarthy] wanted to know why I wanted this procedure, he wanted to make sure I knew what I was doing, he took complete duty of care. I'm really happy with what I've had done."

image copyright West Midlands Police image caption Out-of-date medical materials were found in McCarthy's studio

West Midlands Police said McCarthy conducted the procedures without knowing his clients' medical histories or psychiatric backgrounds. He also did not have any life-saving equipment if the surgeries went wrong.

Officers discovered out-of-date pre-injection swabs, anaesthetic gel, stitching thread and needles, the force added.

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Body Art, whose full name is King of Ink Land King Body Art The Extreme Ink-Ite but who was born Matthew Whelan, has devoted his life to body modification.

He said: "Under current laws, we are classed as effectively consenting abuse victims.

image caption Body Art said the industry needs to be regulated

"These are private procedures and agreements between me as the client and the business person.

"But I do think there needs to be regulation. There are people in the industry that aren't protected."