Trial of Scarz & Barz's Paul Saunders begins in Ipswich

Paul Saunders, whose business Scarz & Barz was based in a studio in Eagle Street, allegedly exploited the weaknesses of women who trusted him while carrying out intimate piercings, Ipswich Crown Court was told today (Monday October 14).

“He was a personality, a man of status and a man to be trusted, but unbeknown to many, something sinister lurked behind. Mr Saunders was sexually aroused by his work,” said Rossano Scamardella KC, prosecuting.

Paul Saunders was described as a sought after artist to the court. (Image: Newsquest)

“With some he assaulted them during intimate piercings, pretending the sexual touching of their breasts or vagina was no more than the piercing demanded, This was untrue, deceitful and exploitative”, he said

“He was a cunning and manipulative sexual predator who exploited the weaknesses of those who trusted him,” he added.

The court heard that Saunders, who Mr Scamardella described as “arguably the area’s most sought after piercing specialist “, was particularly popular with young women, some of whom were vulnerable and had mental health issues.

He said Saunders’ studio became a meeting point for young women, some who wanted work done and others who just wanted to congregate there.

He alleged that an unusual feature of Saunders’ offending behaviour was his habit of hugging customers who had nipple piercings before they put their tops on.

‘These were not hugs to reassure or settle a nervous customer, these were hugs for Mr Saunders to arouse himself at the feel of a woman’s breasts,” said Mr Scamardella.

He alleged that Saunders, who featured in a Channel 4 documentary called: “My Body My Rules”, also had an account on the social networking website “Fetlife” for those interested in bondage, domination, and fetishes.

Saunders, whose business was established in 2013, had allegedly uploaded photographs of intimate piercings he had carried out on a woman's vagina.

Mr Scamardella claimed that Saunders kept pictures of intimate piercings he had carried out  in a secret folder on his phone for his sexual gratification.

“He was sexually aroused by intimate piercings which inevitably led to there being few boundaries between his work life and his sex life,” said Mr Scamardella.

He claimed that Saunders had raped two women he had relationships with and had sexually assaulted another woman who stayed at his flat when she missed her bus home after going for a drink with him.

Saunders , 51, of Eagle Street, has pleaded not guilty to three offences of rape, six offences of sexual assault and one of assault by penetration.

The offences relate to nine women and are alleged to have been committed between June 2012 and February 2020.

The court heard the offences came to light after Saunders posted an “ill judged” post on Scarz & Barz Facebook page in April 2020 that he’d managed to take a Covid-19 test on the basis that he was an essential worker and the result was negative.

This resulted in a wave of negative comments from people who disapproved of him describing himself as an “essential worker” and led to a former girlfriend posting a photograph of a poster on a lamppost.

The poster had a picture of Saunders’ face and underneath was written: “Free hugs with every piercing” but the word “hugs” had been crossed out and replaced with the word “groping”.

A stream of complaints followed from women complaining about Saunders’ behaviour and the police were contacted after a private Facebook group called  ‘Safe Space’ was set up for anyone who had allegedly suffered at the hands of Saunders to share their experiences with others.

The court heard that when Saunders was interviewed by police he denied sexually assaulting or raping any women and said that where sexual intercourse had taken place it was consensual.

The case which is expected to last several weeks continues.