| 29 October 2009: A security boss has been found guilty of working as a security director without holding an SIA licence. Mark David Livingston, 47, was the director of Hallmarc Security Ltd based in Grantham and supplied door staff in the area.
At Grantham Magistrates' Court on Tuesday [27 October], he pleaded guilty to two offences of working as a director without an SIA licence and was fined £500 for each. He was also found guilty of one offence of failing to provide information to the SIA and fined £300 – failing to comply with the SIA's power to require information was not merely a technical offence, the court heard. The offences are set out in the Private Security Industry Act 2001.
As well as the fines, Livingston was ordered to pay prosecution costs of £12,000, total fines and costs of £13,300.
Directors, managers and supervisors of security companies are required to hold at least a non-front line SIA licence. Livingston initially held a licence but failed to renew it on expiry.
The SIA's Formal Investigation Team investigated and took the case forward for prosecution after a referral from the SIA's East Regional Team. This followed a joint compliance operation with Lincolnshire Police in April 2008.
Sara Brennan, an SIA Head of Investigation, said:
"This has been a challenging case but SIA licensing must be adhered to. Livingston ignored the law and this is a clear warning to others that non-compliance will not be tolerated."
Notes to Editors:
Penalties for offences under the Private Security Industry Act 2001
- For those working in a licensable role without an SIA licence the penalties are:
- upon summary conviction at a Magistrate's Court, Sheriff Court or District Court, a maximum penalty of six months imprisonment and/or a fine of up to £5,000.
- For those supplying unlicensed staff the penalties are:
- upon summary conviction at a Magistrate's Court, Sheriff Court or District Court, a maximum penalty of six months imprisonment and/or a fine of up to £5,000.
- upon conviction on indictment at Crown Court, High Court of Justiciary or Sheriff and jury trial, an unlimited fine and/or up to five years imprisonment.
The Security Industry Authority regulates the private security industry in Great Britain under the Private Security Industry Act 2001, reporting to the Home Secretary. Its main duties are: the compulsory licensing of individuals undertaking designated activities; managing the voluntary Approved Contractor Scheme approving private security suppliers.
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