In a session held at Lincoln Magistrates’ Court, two individuals faced prosecution on Monday, November 6, 2023, for their involvement in illegal security operations. Trevor Frater, initially pleading not guilty on September 25, 2023, altered his plea to guilty during the trial, admitting to supplying unlicensed security and managing without the required license.
This marks the third instance of legal action against Lincoln-based Trevor Frater by the Security Industry Authority (SIA) for engaging in unauthorized security supply and work. Consequently, Frater has been referred to the sentencing jurisdiction of Lincoln Crown Court. The SIA is poised to initiate confiscation procedures under the Proceeds of Crime Act against him.
The second individual, Richard Coleman from Grimsby, reversed his earlier not guilty plea made in July to admit guilt for illegal work on Monday, November 6, 2023. He received a fine of £270 along with an order to pay £3,158.40 as prosecution costs and a £108 victim surcharge.
Operating under the moniker Elite Door Staff, Trevor Frater enlisted Richard Coleman for deployment at a Louth bar from April to November 2022. Although Coleman previously held an SIA license, it expired on January 13, 2019. During a prior appearance at Boston Magistrates’ Court, Coleman denied working as a door supervisor.
On November 22, 2022, a routine licensing inspection conducted jointly by the SIA’s regional investigation team and Lincolnshire Police officers covered various bars, pubs, and venues in Louth. One venue under scrutiny had employed Elite Door Staff since September 2021, despite Frater’s business dissolution on February 1, 2022.
Subsequent to the inspection, the SIA initiated a criminal inquiry. In February 2023, investigators requested additional information from both Frater and Coleman and invited them to participate in an interview under caution. However, Frater failed to furnish the necessary information, and neither individual met with SIA criminal investigators.
Jenny Hart, SIA Criminal Investigations Manager said of the proceedings, “The purpose of the SIA licence is to protect the public. We await the outcome of Trevor Frater’s sentencing. He has now pleaded guilty to his offences. He is a prolific offender who recruited Coleman to perform an unlicensed role. Coleman now has a criminal record for his actions.”