The details: In March 2025, Graceful Tattoo Collective opened on College Street after Jamie Lewis – then referring to himself as Jay Lewis – and co-owner Emily Lewis took over the former hair salon.
He said to the Ipswich Star at the time of opening: "We wanted to open in Ipswich because it is a focus of development. There is lots going on, people are trying to redevelop the town and it's an early opportunity for us to get involved."
He described the multi-floor studio as having "a very contemporary but industrial feel" with a pool table for waiting customers and separate tattoo areas on the first and second floors.
What he didn't reveal was that he was one of two former Met police officers sentenced to 33 months in prison for taking photos of murdered sisters Nicole Smallman and Bibaa Henry in Wembley, in June 2020.
The conviction: In December 2021, Lewis and fellow PC Deniz Jaffer were each sentenced to 33 months in prison for misconduct in a public office.
The pair were sent to guard the scene where sisters Nicole Smallman, 27, and Bibaa Henry, 46, were found murdered in Fryent Country Park, Wembley, in June 2020.
While on duty, Lewis took two photos of the victims' bodies and superimposed his face on one to create a "selfie-style" image. His colleague Jaffer took four pictures and sent photographs to an inexperienced officer. Lewis shared images via WhatsApp, writing: "Unfortunately I'm sat next to two dead birds full of stab wounds."
Judge Mark Lucraft QC condemned their "appalling and inexplicable conduct", saying the men had disregarded the victims' privacy for "a cheap thrill" or "some form of bragging rights". Both officers were sacked by the Met Police.
The other side: There are no legal restrictions preventing former offenders from operating tattoo studios, and rehabilitation advocates argue that individuals who have served their sentences are entitled to rebuild their lives, and that denying people the opportunity to work after their release from prison can increase reoffending rates.
Tattoo artists are not legally required to have DBS checks in the UK, though some voluntarily seek them. Local councils, responsible for licensing tattoo businesses, do not mandate such checks.
The bottom line: Since Lewis's past was made public, Graceful Tattoo Collective's website, Facebook and Instagram pages have been removed along with all contact details. The studio, which normally opens on Mondays, was closed, and it is unclear if the business will continue operating.
Mr Lewis was approached for comment.
