Body modification artist Brendan Leigh Russell’s deadly treatments exposed

A body modification artist who went by the name “BSlice” has learnt his fate for botched procedures, including one that led to a woman’s death.

A body modification artist who made a name for himself by carving and slicing into the flesh of brave young “groupies” has been sentenced to prison for at least seven years.

Brendan Leigh Russell travelled around Australia showing off his skills with tools such as scalpels and body hooks at modification expos.

He also performed procedures at his Transitions business, set up at a shopping centre in Erina on the NSW Central Coast, that were posted to social media where fans lauded him as an expert of the trade.

The 41-year-old faced Sydney’s Downing Centre District Court via audiovisual link from Parklea Correctional Centre where he was supported by eight members of his family, including his wife.

Russell was last year found guilty of manslaughter, intentionally causing grievous bodily harm and female genital mutilation relating to procedures performed on three women, including two at his studio at the Erina Fair Shopping Centre between 2015 and 2017.

Brendan Leigh Russell was last year found guilty of manslaughter, intentionally causing grievous bodily harm and female genital mutilation. Picture: NCA NewsWire / James Gourley

In one of the procedures, Russell removed part of a woman’s labia with a branding iron and performed a botched tummy tuck on another.

The 41-year-old, who went by the name BSlice in the body modification industry, pleaded not guilty and argued he was not responsible for the women’s side effects.

However, in November he was found guilty of all three charges following a judge-alone trial before Acting Judge Helen Syme in the NSW District Court.

Judge Syme on Monday told the court that Russell breached the trust of two of the victims by telling them he had “full extensive knowledge and training”.

One of the victims, who underwent at least nine different body modifications by Russell and cannot be identified for legal reasons, saw him as a “God”.

The woman was found dead inside her Central Coast home after having a synthetic snowflake implant inserted into her hand.

Body modification artist Brendan Russell put a snowflake into a 30-year-old woman who later died of blood poisoning.

The court was told the woman returned to Russell’s studio multiple times before her death and complained she was experiencing pain because of a blood infection.

“Hygiene requirements were not followed, the performance of a surgical procedure in such circumstances meant it was likely the proper care was not taken to avoid infection,” Judge Syme told the court.

“Infection occurred.”

Judge Syme told the court the implant was “inherently dangerous” and became discoloured and swollen a week after the procedure.

But Russell “dissuaded” the woman from seeking proper medical attention.

The court was told instead of helping the woman, Russell put another implant in her hand that spread the septicaemia infection further.

“The offender had a duty of care to ensure the victim was safely cared for,” Judge Syme said.

“There was evidence before the court had she taken urgent medical advice even at that time she had a good prospect of survival.

“She took his advice because of trust. The result was her death.”

Body modification artist Brendan Russell will remain in prison for seven years. Picture: Facebook

In regards to the charge of female genital mutilation, Judge Syme told the court the woman experienced severe pain for 12 months after the procedure.

She is unable to use tampons and has discomfort even wearing underwear due to the botched procedure.

Judge Syme detailed the issues surrounding a botched tummy tuck inside the tattoo room of his studio that led to the grievous bodily harm charge.

Russell used only local anaesthetic, causing the woman to have severe pains after returning home from the procedure, while blood oozed out of the wounds.

The court was told Russell told her she would look like Elle MacPherson, and despite her nerves, he was “so confident” and convinced her to trust him that there would be little side effects.

Judge Syme said Russell breached his trust with the victim especially when he told her to wear a compression bandage and not to see a doctor if any issues arose.

“The fact the victim gave consent to a no- qualified person is objectively foolish, but the foolishness of the victim itself does not reduce moral culpability of the offender,” Judge Syme said.

“If he was qualified the procedure would not have been carried out in a tattoo studio, without the general anaesthetic and without antibiotics and no after care.”

Eight members of Mr Russell’s family supported him at court on Monday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / James Gourley

Judge Syme said: “Anyone who cuts a large piece of flesh from a person’s body is dangerous.”

The woman could not leave her home unassisted for three weeks and had to have remedial surgery after three weeks, the court was told.

“The corrective scarring is a reminder of the distressing event,” Judge Syme told the court.

“It is a mark of the trust the victim had of the offender that she did not seek medical attention until much later.”

Judge Syme told the court that Russell “expressed no remorse” and had not accepted any responsibility for the injuries and hurt he had caused.

She said she “had no idea” if the 41-year-old “even regrets” his involvement.

Russell was sentenced to an aggregate sentence of 10 years, with a non-parole period of seven years and six months.

The sentence was backdated to September 15, 2021, meaning he will be eligible for parole on March 14, 2029.