Brendan Russell faces Gosford Local Court over female genital mutilation
BODY modifier Brendan Leigh Russell, who allegedly burned off a woman’s labia major with a branding iron, has faced court for the first time.
Central Coast
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A BODY modifier who allegedly burned off parts of a woman’s genitalia with a branding iron has faced court for the first time.
Dressed in a black suit, Brendan Leigh Russell said nothing when his matter was briefly mentioned at Gosford Local Court this morning where he is facing one count of female genital mutilation.
Police charge sheets tendered in court allege the 37-year-old used a branding iron to burn off a 33-year-old woman’s labia major in Newcastle West some time in 2016.
It is understood the woman went to Mr Russell for a procedure at a tattoo parlour but then later made a formal complaint of mutilation.
Mr Russell was arrested at his Terrigal home he shares with his partner and friends early in the morning on May 1 at the same time as police conducted raids on the Newcastle West parlour and his own tattoo, piercing and body modification shop, Transition, at Erina Fair.
Detectives from strike force Nellievale — set up to investigate the genital mutilation allegations — seized a number of items and later charged him with the alleged offence before he was released on bail.
His police bail determination, tendered with charge sheets, reveals he made no admissions to police regarding the allegations when he was interviewed.
The bail determination also states he had four prior, separate, charges for “relatively minor offences” and has never served a custodial sentence.
An agent acting on behalf of his solicitor told the court Mr Russell was not entering a plea today but “at some stage” would seek to vary his bail conditions.
While his acting solicitor did not disclose what he sought to vary, Mr Russell faces very strict bail conditions which prevent him from continuing to work in the piercing, tattoo or body modification industry.
His bail conditions state he must not perform any medical, health services or cosmetic procedure either paid or voluntary.
“Medical services include any type of minor or major surgery whether sought out for medical or cosmetic or other purposes,” his bail conditions state.
He also has to report daily to Gosford Police Station, surrender his passport and abide by a curfew.
Flanked by a female supporter, Mr Russell said nothing as he arrived and left court.
Magistrate Bruce Williams ordered a police brief of evidence be served by July 6 and adjourned the matter to July 20.
IN OTHER NEWS
Body modification is currently not legislated in NSW however members of the so-called skin penetration industry are required to follow public health regulations.
Mr Russell is not a qualified medical practitioner but has posted on social media a statement of attainment from Queensland TAFE for “maintain infection control standards in office practice settings”.
On social media Mr Russell has said he performs body piercing, scarification, tongue slitting and subdermal implant procedures.
It will be alleged Mr Russell performed the procedures using local anaesthetic, which he is not qualified or legally entitled to do.