An American former tattoo artist, who has changed his name to Scary Guy, is in Chatham this week to "empower the minds" of hundreds of students.

The motivational speaker, who has piercings to his nose, eye-bows and ears, and whose body is 85 per cent covered in tattoos, is delivering his message to Chatham Boys Grammar pupils.

Scary is now based in the UK and has been taking his roadshow to schools, businesses, police and military establishments for the past 14 years,

It is his first visit to Medway and staff decided to hire Scary after recommendations from organisations elsewhere in the country.

Assistant head teacher Craig Brown said: "He’s probably the modern-day version of the community policeman who used to come into schools, but in today’s world has proved he has far more impact on young people."

Scary hosted a session for the whole school at Chatham’s Central Theatre yesterday (Monday) and is taking lessons at the school in Maidstone Road over the next two days.

In his biography, Scary pledges to eliminate anger, hate, violence and bullying.