Welsh mother had to hide on Halloween because extreme tattoos ‘scare children’

‘Britain’s most tattooed’ mum is used to being judged for her tattoos.

Melissa Sloan, who struggles to find employment because of her 800 eye-catching tattoos, is often stared at on the street. While some make cruel comments, others avoid them.

In addition, some children run away from her out of fear. This makes Halloween particularly difficult for the 47-year-old as she is forced to “hide in the bushes” when trick-or-treating with her children.

She explained: “I don’t need a Halloween costume – my tattoos scare the kids enough as it is. My appearance scares them every day, but I have to be extra careful during scary season.”

Melissa, who is originally from Knighton in Powys but now lives in Kidderminster, says children don’t often knock on her front door during spooky season either.

Melissa says it’s a shame she can’t party like everyone else. She explained: “It makes me angry that I can’t fully enjoy Halloween with my own children. For example, I can’t really take part in trick-or-treating.

“Many of my neighbors are afraid to open the door when I take my children out. So I have to hide in the bushes or on the street.

“When I walk to the door with them, people are just shocked and look at me – their stares are tiring.

“As for my own house, when I open the door to give out candy, the children sometimes run away. Others don’t bother trick-or-treating with me at all.”

Melissa is no stranger to having to hide her face. She’s been banned from numerous venues and avoids grocery shopping because people won’t leave her alone.

The situation has escalated to the point where she now wears makeup outside to cover up her ink. Melissa added: “It’s a shame that people don’t understand my facial art and don’t immediately become wary.

“I am forced to hide and hide my true self. People should accept that my ink is a form of self-expression.

“I’m still me – Melissa. I just show my creativity on my skin to share it with the world instead of keeping it under wraps.”