For some people, getting a tattoo is a way of embracing their artistic side.
Maybe they want to remember a friend. Maybe they’ve always loved a particular design.
Or maybe it’s a tribute to people you really love.
Former National Union of Workers secretary in New South Wales, Australia Derrick Belan caused controversy this week after admitted to using a union credit card to pay for a tattoo of his mother and father on his leg.
Image: Buzzfeed
The former secretary of the National Union of Workers in Australia found his latest tattoo taking centre stage when it was revealed he’d paid $432 for the outline of his parents using money taken from union members.
Belan told the court how he had attempted to withdraw cash from an ATM closer to the tattoo parlour, but found it was empty.
Rather than lose his appointment at the Emu Plains tattoo, he decided to use the union credit card to make the payment on his inking.
According to Buzzfeed, he promised the royal commission in court that he had every intention of later paying the union back.
The tattoo artist William Buenen said that both his client Belan and his mother had been delighted with the ink results:
“He came in to tell me that: ‘My mother cried when I showed her my tattoo. She said to tell you thank you for making me look so young and beautiful.”
Belan was also asked to account for nearly $3,500 charged to the same credit card, which was used to pay for two holidays he had taken during his time as secretary.
He claimed that he believed the trips were paid for by his family to celebrate his birthday.
Belan added that he was also keeping $25,000 from a union related fund in his home safe and had left it in his car during Tuesday’s hearing:
“I was told by the lawyers today you may wish to see it or ask where it is.”
While we don’t know how this case is going to work out for the Australian, at least he loves his tattoo.
And his mammy gave him the seal of approval – which has to count for something, right?
