International tattoo artist who sexually assaulted client in Knutsford handed 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order

An international tattoo artist who sexually assaulted a client in Knutsford has been handed a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

Christos Phitides, 32, also known as Kris Karma, currently living in the Sparkhill area of Birmingham, appeared at Chester Crown Court on 11 January where he was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment suspended for 18 months along with a 10 year SHPO.

He was ordered to pay £2,000 victim compensation to be paid within 28 days and also a statutory surcharge, again to be paid within 28 days.

He pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing.

The court heard how his victim, a woman, had attended a tattoo studio in Knutsford, where Phitides was working as a guest artist, to have a tattoo covered on 3 August 2020.

As he was working on the tattoo, Phitides began to talk to the woman in a sexualised manner and touched her inappropriately, asking ‘do you want any extra’. She told him no.

When the appointment finished, the victim spoke to the manager of the tattoo shop and disclosed the offence.

Phitides was immediately told to leave, and within the hour, he had booked a return flight home to Cyprus which was scheduled to leave the next day.

He subsequently sent a message to the studio effectively apologising and telling them to refund the payment for the tattoo to the victim and to take it out his wages.

On 15 June 2022, Phitides returned to the UK where he was arrested at Birmingham Airport.

He was formally charged and subsequently bailed with conditions.

Detective Constable Andy Cole said: “Phitides abused his position of trust as a tattoo artist and fled the country knowing full well what he had done but chose to avoid facing the consequences.

“I would like to praise the victim in this case for coming forward and having to endure with what happened to her for more than two years without justice because of Phitides immediate actions after the incident.

"I would also like to thank the management of the tattoo studio for the support they have provided to the investigation.

“By granting the Sexual Harm Prevention Order, he will not be able to work in any tattoo studio unsupervised.

“I hope that the securing of the SHPO allows others to have the courage to come forward to police with incidents of sexual assault knowing that they will be believed and any report will be investigated fully.”

Anyone who wishes to make a report of sexual assault can do so via the Cheshire Police website.