On June 30, 2023, a West Bromwich man was convicted at Birmingham and Solihull Magistrates’ Court for working illegally as a door supervisor.
Seydina Samb pleaded guilty and received a 12-month Community Rehabilitation Order involving 80 hours of unpaid work and a 10-day Rehabilitation Activity Requirement with the Probation Service. Additionally, he was ordered to pay £500 in prosecution costs and a Victim Surcharge of £95.
On October 21, 2021, regional investigators from the Security Industry Authority (SIA) and officers from West Midlands Police conducted a routine inspection of clubs and pubs in Birmingham’s city centre. The inspection, including a bar in Victoria Street, involved the SIA inspectors checking the licenses of two men working on the door, both clad in black security uniforms.
One man failed to display a license and could not produce one when asked. The head doorman presented a license in the name of Seydina Samb, but it actually belonged to another legitimate license holder. Seydina Samb promptly left the venue. Subsequent investigation of the bar’s signing-in book revealed that Samb had worked there on eight occasions in October 2021.
The other door supervisor was operating legally with a legitimate door supervisor’s license.
Following the incident, the SIA initiated a criminal investigation, and despite repeated attempts to engage with Seydina Samb, he only responded when pleading not guilty to the charges at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court on August 19, 2022.
District Judge Bristow, during sentencing, remarked: “Samb gave a thoroughly dishonest representation to the company in using the fraudulent licence.” He emphasized the highly trusted position of those working on the doors, dealing with individuals involved in disorder and criminality. The judge expressed concern that Samb presented a license card with his photo and name but used someone else’s SIA license details, stating that individuals in trusted positions should not attain such roles through dishonest means.
Mark Chapman, one of the SIA’s Criminal Investigation Managers, commented: “The purpose of the SIA’s licensing regime is to protect the public. Seydina Samb has pleaded guilty to working with a fake license in Birmingham’s city centre. The venue and its patrons deserve better by having security that is vetted and appropriately trained to keep them safe.”