TATT’S LIFE: Daniel Nemeth

Brendan McCarthy faces jail after admitting GBH last week for carrying out a tongue-splitting procedure and removing an ear and a nipple.

The tattoo artist had claimed customer consent provided him with a lawful defence.

But after a two-year battle he changed his plea to guilty.

IN COURT: Brendan McCarthy

As McCarthy, who ran Dr Evil's Body Modification Emporium in Wolverhampton, awaits sentencing, tattooists and piercers have called for a law change.

Daniel Nemeth, 33, of Nemesis in Camden, north London, said: "I think the judges' decision is super harsh.

"It's not as if he knocked his customers out so they had no idea what was happening. The clients consented and paid money for it.

"I know 15 people who have had tongue splitting done in the UK and lots of people have ears reshaped.

The controversy is just because mainstream society looks down on these things. If I want to split my tongue, that's my tongue."

A tattooist from nearby Evil From The Needle said: "If he had consent forms I don't see why it was considered illegal.

TATTOOIST: Richard Sless
MODIFICATION: Tongue split

"People have had weirder things done. I know of amputations in Germany. If it makes you happy, why not? It's your body."

Richard Sless, 32, of Eclipse, in Enfield, north London, said: "People do stupid things. I don't know why someone would want to split their tongue.

"But it is all a matter of opinion."