How a tattoo artist cleared his name after online defamation and harassment by a former client
This case study explores how a respected tattoo artist faced a viral online defamation campaign, that jeopardised his business and personal safety. It details how he responded with targeted legal action, including cease and desist letters for both defamation and harassment, ultimately leading to the removal of posts and the restoration of his professional standing.
When a post goes viral and your reputation unravels
The real-world impact of online defamation
Seeking legal advice from internet defamation specialists
Can you take legal action even if the post is deleted?
Legal action for online defamation and harassment: cease and desist letters explained
How a targeted legal approach stopped the spread of online defamation and harassment
Lawyers' thoughts about the case
When a post goes viral and your reputation unravels
Martin, a tattoo artist in his early thirties, ran a small but thriving studio in a regional city. Highly respected in his field, he was known for his professionalism and artistic talent. He'd built much of his client base through Instagram, where he shared his portfolio and connected with new clients.
One day, a former client made a post accusing him of inappropriate behaviour during and after her tattoo appointment. Though the original post disappeared within 24 hours, the damage had already taken root. In one of her posts, the accuser even acknowledged that she had been drinking heavily at the time she made the original accusation, casting further doubt on the clarity and accuracy of her claims.
As the story spread, it became increasingly clear that many of the accusations were fabricated. Martin strongly believed the entire narrative was a lie, constructed and amplified at his expense. Screenshots of the story were widely shared, the posts defaming across Instagram and Facebook, particularly within the close-knit tattoo community.
Influencers reposted the claims, local Facebook groups circulated his name, and dozens of strangers left negative reviews on his business page. Martin suspected that some of his professional competitors may have seized the opportunity to ensure the false allegations continued circulating, contributing to the attack on his reputation. Some claimed he was a predator. Others accused him of misconduct without ever meeting him.
The real-world impact of online defamation
Martin lost staff, bookings dried up, and the business he spent years building was suddenly untenable. He was forced to shut down his studio and deactivate his social media accounts. His wife, who also ran a small business locally, found herself on the receiving end of harassing messages.
The false narrative had grown beyond the original post and become an industry rumour. The situation clearly amounted not just to defamation but also to harassment. Martin was receiving threatening and abusive messages online, which left him feeling unsafe and exposed. This continuous barrage of hostility, particularly when it was designed to intimidate and pressure him, met the legal definition of harassment under UK law.
Feeling distressed and alarmed by the volume and tone of the responses he received, Martin visited his local police station to report the matter. While the police agreed the content could amount to harassment, they explained that they had limited power to force platforms like Instagram to remove the content or disclose the identities behind anonymous accounts.
Despite this, Martin's report was important because it created an official record and signalled that the situation was serious. Knowing that informal measures were insufficient, Martin realised he needed legal help to assert his rights and protect himself through more targeted legal action.
Seeking legal advice from internet defamation specialists
Martin instructed our firm with one clear goal: stop the spread of false information and reclaim his name. The key issue was a mix of online defamation and reputational harassment, both of which fall under the legal umbrella of internet law. In addition to protecting his reputation, Martin was feeling genuine fear for his own safety and that of his family.
The online messages he received were not only defamatory but often threatening, adding a deeply personal layer of distress to an already damaging situation. This is a crucial element of harassment in law- it involves not just repeated unwanted contact, but behaviour that causes alarm or distress. Martin experienced both.
Our team reviewed the evidence and advised on a focused approach. While the client was understandably angry at multiple individuals, the strategy was to start with the original accuser. We advised sending a formal letter of claim that laid out the allegations, highlighted their falsity, and set out the legal consequences if they continued.
Can you take legal action even if the post is deleted?
Yes. Under UK defamation law, harm is caused the moment a defamatory statement is published. Even if a post is quickly removed, the publisher remains liable if it has been seen, shared or screenshotted. In Martin’s case, the story had already spread widely by the time the original poster deleted it. That meant legal action was still viable.
This matter involved both defamation and harassment. While the defamatory post spread false and damaging information, the responses it triggered—many of them threatening in tone- caused significant emotional distress. Under UK law, harassment is defined as a course of conduct that causes alarm or distress, and Martin’s experience fit this definition. He and his family felt unsafe, especially given the volume of threatening messages they received.
This fear for personal and family safety was a driving factor behind his decision to report the online harassment to the police. We wrote to the original publisher and two others who had shared the post. The letters requested immediate removal of any remaining content, a signed retraction, and an undertaking not to repeat the false claims. We also warned that further legal action could follow, including a defamation claim in court.
Legal action for online defamation and harassment: cease and desist letters explained
We sent formal cease and desist letters on Martin's behalf addressing both defamation and harassment. These letters clearly set out the false and damaging nature of the statements, the impact they were having on Martin and his family, and demanded immediate action. They required the recipients to remove all defamatory content, issue a retraction, and give undertakings not to repeat or republish the statements.
By combining both defamation and harassment claims in the correspondence, we were able to demonstrate the seriousness of the matter. The letters served as a strong legal warning, outlining that if the recipients failed to comply, further legal proceedings would follow. This direct approach often prevents escalation and encourages swift resolution, as it did in Martin's case.
How a targeted legal approach stopped the spread of online defamation and harassment
Two of the three individuals who received letters responded quickly. They removed the posts and agreed not to repeat the allegations. The third, who was the original poster, never formally responded. However, because her content had already been taken down and Martin wanted to avoid escalating things further, he chose not to pursue a court claim.
Importantly, the legal letters had a wider effect. The posts stopped circulating. New reposts ceased. Even the anonymous account that had been pushing the allegations was deactivated. Our intervention had sent a clear message: there would be legal consequences for anyone repeating false claims.
Lawyers' thoughts about the case
This case stands out because it shows how quickly a rumour can evolve into a reputation crisis. Our work was as much about managing the psychology of the situation as the legal elements. The client needed clarity, strategy and empathy- not just a court threat.
Martin’s story also highlights how vulnerable tattoo artists and similar professionals are to false accusations. Their businesses are highly dependent on reputation and online platforms, making them uniquely exposed to reputational harm. A single false post can cause immediate and widespread damage. This is why it's vital for those in the personal service industry to take precautions: be cautious in communications with clients, keep clear records of all appointments, and establish boundaries that protect both parties.
We tailored our tone to avoid escalation while firmly asserting our client’s rights. This allowed most of the parties involved to walk away without feeling cornered, which helped avoid prolonged conflict. The law gave us the tools, but a well-judged approach ensured a more sustainable resolution. If you're a professional being targeted online, remember: you do not have to tolerate it. There are legal options, and with the right approach, you can regain control.