A MOTHER has spoken of her panic when she discovered her underage daughter had been tattooed by an unlicensed artist.

Earlier this month, the Echo published a warning after reports a man had been tattooing underage girls across Southend.

The man, who told his customers he was called “Harry”, claimed to work for Studio 9, Queens Road, Southend, but the studio raised the alarm after receiving complaints from parents.

Now a mother and her 17-year-old daughter have come forward to warn others.

The woman, who is from Great Wakering and will remain anonymous, said she is hoping her daughter’s experience can serve as a lesson to others not to get illegitimate tattoos.

She said: “When I actually found out, I broke down in tears on the floor because I couldn’t believe she had done something so naive.

"I was in absolute shock and panic when I realised she had it done in a hostel.”

The teenager had gone to a hostel in Southend with three friends where a man who presented himself as a legitimate tattoo artist tattooed a small heart on her hand.

He also agreed to tattoo her three friends for a total of £30.

The 17-year-old said he appeared to be legitimate because he took out new needles from the packet each time and seemed to know what he was doing.

The mother added: “It does make you wonder how many of them there are out there because kids aren’t likely to blurt it out.

“Luckily, my daughter’s did not get infected but it is not very good quality.

“I would say to any parents out there whose children are thinking about getting tattoos to just be aware of who they are friends with because this was through a friend.

“If they say they are interested in it, make sure you drum it into them to wait until they are 18 and go to a legitimate place to get it done.”

Since the first story, Studio 9 say they have identified the man claiming to be working for them and he has been reported to the police by the mother of the young girl who was tattooed.

Owner Rob Morriss said: “I will be surprised if he doesn’t face criminal charges. The risks are monumental and there is a danger customers could life-threatening infections.

"Let’s hope this story can be a warning both to other teens thinking about getting tattoos and other people who may be thinking about operating in this way.”