A tattooist has been ordered to pay £1,000 for repeatedly flouting lockdown rules after police and council officials used a locksmith to get into his Bristol studio.
Aron Walton refused to close Holey Skin tattoo parlour in Gloucester Road, Bishopston, after the second country-wide coronavirus lockdown forced his non-essential shop to shut.
Mr Walton said he did not ‘consent’ to the rules and kept the business open for more than a week.
But Bristol City Council and police officers used a locksmith to force entry on November 13.
Mr Walton recorded a video as an environmental health officer was handed him a fixed penalty notice which was later revealed to be for £1,000.
Police also seized six pieces of tattooing equipment.
Tattooist Aron Walton (pictured) has been ordered to pay £1,000 for repeatedly flouting lockdown rules after police and council officials used a locksmith to get into his Bristol studio
Mr Walton refused to close Holey Skin tattoo parlour in Gloucester Road, Bishopston, after the second country-wide coronavirus lockdown forced his non-essential shop to shut. Pictured: Police during the raid
Mr Walton said he did not ‘consent’ to the rules and kept the business open for more than a week before the raid (pictured)
But Bristol City Council and police officers used a locksmith to force entry on November 13 (pictured during the raid)
A council spokesman said it came after ‘persistent breaches of Covid-19 rules despite repeated requests to comply’.
He said: ‘Council enforcement officers, supported by officers from Avon and Somerset Police entered the business on Friday following a breach of a prohibition notice and receipt of a warrant from the courts.
‘Prior to this officers had repeatedly asked the owner to comply with Covid-19 regulations, issuing the prohibition notice after attempts to negotiate with the business failed.’
Mr Walton has claimed police had attended seven times during the second lockdown.
On Friday, at least nine police officers and several council officers were joined by a locksmith, who forced entry to Holey Skin while Mr Walton told him: ‘Don’t blow through the hole please, you could have Covid.’
Mr Walton warned council officers he would ‘bill them for the damage’ caused to his door.
A council spokesman said the raid (pictured) came after ‘persistent breaches of Covid-19 rules despite repeated requests to comply’
On Friday, at least nine police officers and several council officers were joined by a locksmith, who forced entry to Holey Skin (police during the raid)
As Ms Clarke handed him the fine, he said: ‘I do not consent, I do not accept it.’
The tattooist shared footage of the incident on his Instagram account on Friday evening.
In the days since, he has continued to post videos online, saying he does not ‘consent’ to the penalty.
When the council attended on Friday, Mr Walton protested: ‘You have no signature from a judge. You have no authority here. You have no jurisdiction here.
‘I stand under common law. You are committing criminal offences against me right now.’
A small group of protesters gathered outside, shouting criticism of the lockdown and Government.
Mr Walton warned council officers he would ‘bill them for the damage’ caused to his door during the raid (pictured)
A small group of protesters gathered outside, shouting criticism of the lockdown and Government as police stood guard (pictured)
Mr Walton has presented arguments against lockdown which appear to be rooted in the ‘freeman on the land’ conspiracy theory. His objection resulted in police shutting down his business (pictured)
An Avon and Somerset police spokesman said: ‘A man was arrested to prevent a breach of the peace before later being de-arrested once the warrant had been completed.’
Mr Walton has presented arguments against lockdown which appear to be rooted in the ‘freeman on the land’ conspiracy theory.
Its proponents say laws only apply to someone with their consent. No such argument has ever succeeded in court.
Councillor Steve Pearce, regulatory services cabinet member, said: ‘I recognise the pressure businesses face right now, both those required to close during lockdown and those allowed to remain open.
‘Public health advice and Government legislation in relation to Covid-19 lockdown are in place to protect individuals and communities, not damage businesses.
‘We are working with businesses and individuals to ensure they get access to the support they are entitled to. We must however challenge behaviour that puts people at risk and will work with our partners in the police to do so where appropriate.’