Aussie teen 'hasn't spoken to mum for three years' after getting tattoo

Casey Victory and her father Bradley appeared in court over the teenager's controversial tattoo. Photo / NewsCorp Australia

The Aussie teenager whose ankle tattoo has torn her family apart has revealed her love for her father facing a prison sentence - and that she hasn't spoken to her mum for three years.

Casey Victory and her father Bradley Victory fronted up at Picton Local Court in western Sydney on Wednesday so he could face charges after letting his 16-year-old daughter get a tattoo without the mother's consent. He is charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and wounding a person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

The latter charge was dropped, but the assault charge remains and could result in a maximum five years in prison for the 45-year-old truck driver, who has pleaded not guilty.

Last New Year's Eve, Casey, with her father's consent, had a dreamcatcher – a native American good luck symbol – tattooed on her calf.

Months later, Victory's ex-wife Nadene Rees, of Hill Top, with whom he shares three children, launched a private prosecution against him.

Under NSW law, it is illegal to tattoo anyone under the age of 18 without written permission from a parent or guardian.

Casey had her father's consent and says she has been living with her father and her paternal grandparents for three years.

Victory told A Current Affair on Wednesday night that he was very protective of his daughter.

Appearing beside his daughter on camera, Victory said, "I'll do anything for Casey, to protect my daughter. Yeah, I would go to extreme [lengths for] all my kids. They mean the world to me."

Asked whether her father was a good dad, Casey told the television show he was "all I could ever ask for. He's the best dad. He does everything for me. I can go to him about anything, teaches me how to do stuff, can ask him anything".

In New South Wales, it is illegal for a minor to get a tattoo without their parents' consent. Photo / NewsCorp Australia

"He's always there for me when I need help."

But in three years, Casey admitted, "I haven't spoken to Mum".

"I love you so much, Dad," she said, to which Victory replied, "thank you, darling … you're a really good girl.

"I'm really proud of Casey. I love her to pieces. Yeah. She's a good daughter."

Casey said the dreamcatcher on her ankle represented her own dreams "to succeed in life, when I'm older, and get my own house and have a family of my own".

The idea for having a tattoo first came up when Casey approached her father and said, "Dad, can I have a tattoo?".

Victory said he had tattoos himself and didn't want to be a hypocrite, so thought "like father, like daughter", and gave his permission.

Lawyer Sam Macedone told ACA that it was quite legal for one parent to give consent.

"Having this man charged with assaulting her is, in my mind, ridiculous."