THE TATTOO artist of murder suspect Jed Allen spoke of how he came across as a “happy and joyful” person.

Natalie Grey, who owns Zoddy Tattoo parlour in Wantage Road, Didcot, did all five of the 21-year-old’s tattoos and said she had no reason to think he was not a normal man.

Ms Grey, 27, said: “He was nice when he came in with some mates.

“We thought he was a normal, everyday, 21-year-old lad and he never gave us any reason to believe anything negative about him.

“Everyone is so shocked and some people still don’t believe it.

“After the murder, there was a word around the town that he would be found dead. He sent some texts to friends and because he was on a downer they thought he was hinting at something or other.”

Allen’s tattoos included a scorpion on the back of one hand, a spider on the back of another and flames on one of his wrists. He also had a larger tattoo of a bear in a tribal design on his chest.

Ms Grey added: “I saw him about three months ago. Since then he has been going to the gym.

“You don’t think that this would happen on your doorstep. It’s horrendous. He didn’t give me any reason to think he was troubled. It’s been speaking to other people that it has come to light. He was a happy, joyful boy.”