'Opportunistic' body piercer, 50, allegedly raped female clients

A 'cunning and manipulative' body piercer raped and sexually assaulted female clients and other women, a court heard today.

Paul Saunders is said to have used his job as a cover for his depraved activities, which included becoming aroused by intimate piercings, touching women inappropriately, and taking photographs of their private parts.

The 51-year-old established himself as a 'man of status' following his appearance on a television documentary, jurors were told, and used this to gain the trust of 'vulnerable' young women, some of whom he allegedly attacked outside work at Scarz & Barz in Ipswich, Suffolk.

Opening the case, prosecutor Rossano Scamardella KC said: 'Mr Saunders was sexually aroused by his work and used his profession as a piercer to mask the sordid reality.

'He assaulted some of the women during intimate piercings, pretending the sexual touching was no more than the piercing demanded.

'These procedures are invasive, sensitive and incredibly intimate and he preyed upon feelings of embarrassment and awkwardness and exploited weaknesses of those who trusted him.

'But he also assaulted women outside of work and it was common for him to contact women after a procedure. He was opportunistic.'

Saunders – whose profile on his business's website states he has been 'piercing for almost 13 years now with a ton of experience' – is said to have placed the illicit photos of unsuspecting customers in a password-protected folder on his phone, saving them 'for his own sexual gratification'.

It is also alleged he made 'inappropriate remarks about the size of women's breasts' during the procedures and asked clients to hug him 'in a sexual way' after piercings.

Five-minute piercings would often take up to 45 minutes, the jury was told, with staff considering the time taken to be 'unusual' and suggesting something 'more sinister at play'.

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Outside the studio Saunders, who is known by his nickname Poz, allegedly attacked one woman at her home.

The court heard after missing her bus she agreed to go to the defendant's flat where she froze after he appeared topless and began taking her clothes off.

The woman was left 'crying… hyperventilating [and] scared' before she managed to flee from the flat without her bra and socks on.

A friend who met her said she was 'white as a ghost and shaking like a leaf', Mr Scamardella said.

Another victim is said to have been raped after she confided in Saunders about receiving treatment for cancer. The jury were told they will also hear about a woman who the defendant met when she was 17 and who was assaulted while she slept.

Saunders allegedly created an account on FetLife – a social media site for fans of bondage, domination and fetishism – in which he uploaded photos of vaginal piercings he performed.

In his profile, he described himself as having 'big hands to spank you and strength to pin you', the jury was told.

Saunders, who claims the allegations were 'invented', denies three counts of rape and seven of sexual assault involving nine different women.

The offences are said to have been carried out between 2012 and 2020.

Mr Scamardella said the TV documentary allowed the defendant to portray himself as a prominent figure in the community and young women with mental health difficulties 'trusted' him. But, he added, 'something sinister lurked behind'.

The trial continues.