Guarding

NI door court case

by Mark Rowe

An unlicensed door supervisor has been prosecuted in Northern Ireland for working without a Security Industry Authority (SIA) licence.

On Friday, August 2, Jonathan Wellard, 39, pleaded guilty at Newtonards Magistrates’ Court and was fined £500. An SIA investigation began when intelligence was received from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) showing Wellard working as a door supervisor in a bar in Bangor. It was found that Wellard had been refused an SIA licence; however, he continued to work in a licensable role regardless.

In sentencing, District Judge Gerry Trainor said that the SIA licensing regime existed to protect the public and also premises owners who contracted in such security.

SIA Head of Investigation, Nathan Salmon said after the case: “I am very pleased with the conviction of Mr Wellard, who disregarded our decision to refuse his licence application and continued to operate within the industry.

“Of further concern was the behaviour of Mr Wellard; CCTV evidence showed him fighting with a customer after ejecting him from the premises. This behaviour is unacceptable and in direct contradiction to door supervisor training in relation to conflict management.”

“The SIA licences individuals who have been correctly trained and security vetted to ensure only fit and proper individuals are working in the industry. This outcome demonstrates that unlicensed workers can expect to be dealt with by the courts.”

The offences took place between July 2011 and January 2012. The first hearing was 19 October 2012. By law, security operatives working under contract and all door supervisors must hold and display a valid SIA licence. A non-front line licence is required for those who manage, supervise and/or employ individuals who engage in licensable activity, as long as front line activity is not carried out; this includes directors and partners. Information about SIA enforcement and penalties can be found on the website: www.sia.homeoffice.gov.uk/enforcement

For further SIA information visit: www.sia.homeoffice.gov.uk.

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