News From the SIA – 20 March 2013

 

A Northamptonshire security director has been order to pay £2,400 and sentenced to 250 community punishment order after pleading guilty of working illegally.

Ian Matthew Taylor, 40, ran Shadow Protection Services Ltd, supplying door staff to venues in the Wellingborough area.

In September 2010, the Security Industry Authority was passed intelligence about Shadow Protection Services Ltd. During on-going enquiries, investigators had determined that Taylor had illegally supplied an unlicensed door supervisor to Rafferty’s and The Kingfisher, in Wellingborough, between 31 December 2010 and 19 November 2011.

This was despite neither of them holding a valid SIA licence. Investigators gathered evidence including signing in sheets, which indicated that, both Taylor and the door supervisor, had been working illegally.

During his interview, Taylor, denied working after his licence had expired in May 2009. He also denied being involved in the running of the business, his claim contradicted by witnesses.

At Wellingborough Magistrates’ Court yesterday [19 March], Taylor, of High Street, Wellingborough, Northampton, pleaded guilty of using and working as an unlicensed security operative.

Taylor was sentenced to a 12 month community punishment order during which he is to undertake 250 hours of unpaid work. Taylor was also ordered to pay £2,400 contribution towards prosecution costs.

SIA Head of Investigation, Nathan Salmon said: “Door supervisor licensing exists to protect the public from harm, ensuring that only suitable and vetted individuals undertake this valuable role.

“This prosecution highlights the significance the courts place on only correctly licensed individuals working in the industry. It identifies that those supplying unlicensed operatives present a risk not only to the public, but also to the livelihood of the licensees engaging their services. “