Body Branding

Body branding or burning a mark into someone else’s body could be a criminal assault.

13:47 30 July 2015

Body branding is one of the alternatives of those people who are bored with getting just a tattoo. Because of the growing demand, more and more tattooists in the UK now offer this type of unusual services. But not all people are aware that ta cosmetic procedure that could amount to bodily harm or wounding could be a criminal result, even if the “victim” has given consent.

 

There are legal cases brought against the people who brand customers – even if they have been asked to do it. The first case involved a husband who branded the letter W on his wife buttock with a hot knife at her request. When she sought medical attention a few days later, the examining doctor reported the injury to the police and the husband was convicted of grievous bodily harm.  

 

Another case involved a group of people convicted of bodily harm after willingly taking part in sadomasochistic activities including whipping, genital maltreatment, ritual beatings, and branding. The majority of the House of Lords made it clear in this case, which was brought in 1993, that consent does not negate liability when bodily harm or more serious injury was intended or caused.