Police have secured a conviction for two people in relation to providing unlicensed door supervisors at a Penzance nightclub.
On Thursday 13 January 2011, Christopher Nicholas, who runs a company called Maximum Security, pleaded guilty to providing unlicensed door staff to Matts Bar, on Market Jew Street, Penzance, during the summer of 2009.
At West Cornwall Magistrates Court, in November 2010, Mr Nicholas’ partner and employee Samantha Elson Jones had already pleaded guilty to working as a door supervisor at the club while unlicensed.
Mr Nicholas was given a twelve month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £1000 towards costs. Elson Jones was given a community order and required to work 60 hours unpaid. The case is thought to be the first conviction under the Private Security Industry Act in Cornwall.
Sgt Marc Sayers, of the Penzance Neighbourhood Policing team said: “This case is a good example of partnership working between Devon and Cornwall Police and the Security Industry Authority to tackle one of the challenges facing the night time economy in Penzance. There are obvious risks involved with the use of unlicensed door staff, which is why the legislation is in place. PC Lewis and the licensing team worked hard to tackle the issues Penzance was experiencing with a few bars and clubs, and the results have been positive.”
Security Industry Authority Head of Investigation Paul Cartlidge said: “Christopher Nicholas showed a lack of care to the venue’s customers when he supplied unlicensed door staff who were not legally entitled to work so I am pleased with the outcome of this case. It is important that individuals working the doors and those supplying them comply with the law and we will continue to work with the police to ensure public safety is being maintained.”