‘He is being set up’: NSW body modifier defended by ex-client
A Sydney body modifier accused of helping his protege to mutilate a woman’s genitals had ‘done nothing wrong’ and was ‘being set up’, a former client told a court today.
Police & Courts
Don't miss out on the headlines from Police & Courts. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- ‘He will end up in jail’: warning to alleged body modifier
- Key witness spars with lawyer in mutilation trial
The alleged mentor of a NSW body modifier accused of mutilating a young woman’s genitals admits his own signature procedure is “extremely dangerous”, a court heard.
Luna Cobra, also known as Howard Rollins, allegedly instructed prominent modifier BSlice to remove the customer’s labia minora five years ago.
Rollins claims to have invented the eyeball tattoo, and in an Italian promotional video he admits “it’s a really crazy idea and to be honest not a good idea. “
“It’s extremely dangerous … and risky,” Rollins said in the footage played to his NSW District Court trial.
BSlice, real name Brendan Russell, denies the alleged January 2015 genital mutilation and will face trial later this year.
In a separate trial now underway, Rollins has pleaded not guilty to helping in the alleged surgery.
On Thursday the court heard the American claims to have a background in “both surgery and art” after learning “all different manners of suturing and manipulation of cartilage” from his brother who studied medicine at university.
The Sydney-based artist was 40 when he allegedly coached Russell, then 37, to use a “branding iron” during the painful operation at a Newcastle parlour which left the victim scarred.
The woman claimed that before the surgery “Howie was sitting there staring at me, I said to him “turn around and don’t watch me undress”.”
“I yelled “stop, it hurts!” Howie said “you don’t have to go through with it if you want, it’s okay”,” the alleged victim said.
In April 2017 the complainant — who had eyeball tattoos and multiple piercings and implants — walked into Gosford police station and reported Russell, the court heard.
“She handed me the labia in the jar,” Detective Rowena Thompson said.
One of Rollin’s former clients earlier testified that Rollins, Russell and the complainant have all told him “that Howie wasn’t involved.”
The court heard John Brady told a detective that police should never have charged Rollins, adding “he is being set up.”
“Howie in my eyes has done nothing wrong, it’s all Brendan Russell. I’m telling the truth,” Mr Brady told the court.
Rollins has tattooed Mr Brady’s eyeballs black, split his tongue, inserted magnets into his fingers and removed his bellybutton.
The court heard several anonymous tips off have been made about Russell’s alleged misconduct to the NSW Health Care Complaints Commission, the department of health and other government agencies.
One complaint was made by the mother of Samantha Hegyi, 30, who Russell is accused of killing after he allegedly implanted a snowflake in the back of her hand and it became fatally infected.
The Central Coast man has pleaded not guilty to manslaughter and Rollins has not been charged with any involvement.
The trial continues.
