Picton teen wants new tattoo after dad’s charges dropped

A teenager has vowed to get another tattoo after all charges were dropped against her dad who permitted her first ink without mum’s consent.

A teenager has vowed to get another tattoo after all charges were dropped against her dad who landed in court over allegedly letting her get her first tatt without her mum’s consent.

Lawyers for the Director of Public Prosecutions told Picton Local Court on Tuesday they were taking over truckie Brad Victory’s matter for the purpose of terminating his remaining charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Mr Victory had been taken to court in a private prosecution launched by his ex-wife Nadene Rees, who alleged in documents he let their teen daughter Casey get a tattoo of a dreamcatcher – a symbol of good luck – on her leg when she was 16 at Picton Tattoos last New Year’s Eve.

Brad and Casey outside Picton Local Court today. Picture: Toby Zerna

A close-up of the tattoo. Picture: Toby Zerna

Casey, who is now 17 and who gave her consent to be identified, told The Daily Telegraph outside court she was “very glad” the ordeal was over and said she planned to get a new tattoo of an infinity symbol for her 18th birthday.

“It has been a bit stressful, just wondering what could happen to dad if he could get into trouble for something I did, I’m glad it’s all over and we can go back to do what we want to do,” she said.

“On my 18th birthday I’m going to get another tattoo, I’m going to get an infinity symbol on my shoulder with Ella and Jackson put through it, my niece and nephew.”

Casey says she wants to get another tattoo when she turns 18. Picture: Toby Zerna

A relieved Mr Victory said he would celebrate his final charge being dropped with a beer.

“I’m very happy it’s all over, it’s just been a little bit of a worry over what actually could happen (and) just putting Casey through the stress and everything of it all, thinking her dad’s going to get into trouble,“ he said.

“(I’ll) definitely have a beer tonight, I drink Coopers Dry.”

Barrister Leigh Finch, acting on behalf of Ms Rees, had withdrawn a more serious charge of wounding a person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm in September.

When the lesser and final charge was dropped in court Mr Victory’s defence lawyer Carolyn Shiels said they wanted to apply for costs from Mrs Rees.

Casey’s mum Nadene Rees, who took ex-husband Brad Victory to court after he allowed their teenage daughter Casey to get a tattoo without her consent. Picture: Toby Zerna

“We have put … on notice there would be a costs application, that’s not against the Director, however my client has suffered,” she said.

“(The respondent) will be Ms Rees, your honour.”

Magistrate Ian Cheetham marked Mr Victory’s remaining charge as withdrawn and dismissed before adjourning the matter to next month.

“I’ll list the matter for a mention date on December 15, the first issue will be to identify who the respondent is, serve them and then they will have to have rights to respond,” he said.

“It will inevitably be adjourned again on December 15 for them to respond.”

Under NSW law, it is illegal to tattoo anyone under the age of 18 without written permission from a parent or guardian.

However, court documents stated Mr Victory permitted Casey to get the tattoo on her leg and signed a consent form.

Ms Rees was listed as the prosecutor in the court documents.

Outside court, Ms Rees was disappointed with the DPP’s decision but said she accepted its authority.

“The children and young persons act requires parental consent by a parent who has all the duties, rights and responsibilities in relation to a child who obtains a tattoo between the ages of 16-18,” she said.

“Mr Victory and I share the duties, rights and responsibilities jointly and therefore he could not consent on his own without my approval.

“It was an (alleged) assault and the issue was about consent.

“Mr Victory did not obtain his tattoos until past the age of 40.”