A Peterborough based security company has been found guilty of illegally supplying a security guard to work on a construction site and ordered to pay more than £30,000, the Security Industry Authority (SIA) reports after a court case.
On Thursday, May 16, at Norwich Crown Court, Scarlet Security Limited was fined £3,000 and ordered to pay costs of £31,347.98. In November 2011, after intelligence reports of illegal activity were received, Scarlet Security, based in Stuart House, St John Street, Peterborough, was investigated by the SIA, supported by Norfolk and Cambridgeshire Police and the UKBA. An employee of the company was found to be working illegally, without an SIA licence. Further, the individual was arrested, referred to the UKBA and then deported as he did not have the right to remain in the UK.
Scarlet Security Limited elected to have the case heard in Crown Court, where the court heard that the owner of the company was a Ken Washington and its former Director a Caroline Kariuki. However, at trial the company was not represented and no defence to the indictment was presented to the jury.
In sentencing the company, Recorder Rupert Lowe stated that he was satisfied that the deported individual “had worked for the company for some time,” and acknowledged the importance of the case as the offence “undermines the regulatory framework and immigration system”.
Head of Investigation Nathan Salmon said after the case: “The prosecution of Scarlet Security is a reminder that some businesses continue to supply individuals to work in the private security industry unlicensed.
“The company was not undertaking adequate vetting of its staff as it claimed it had done. It is a concern for the regulator that the individual worked in the industry although he did not have the right to remain in the UK.
“We were unable to engage with persons in control of the business at the time of the offence which has frustrated proceedings; however, this verdict is very positive.
“Although the individuals running Scarlet Security have decided to liquidate the business, the SIA felt it important to progress this prosecution as taking such a course of action should not be a protection against prosecution. I am thankful to our partners in this investigation.” Scarlett Security Limited was liquidated on April 12, 2013.
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