A door supervisor who continued to work despite having his Security Industry Authority licence revoked has been given a suspended sentence.
John Brown, of Coach Lane, Newcastle, was convicted in July 2013 of causing actual bodily harm. Following the conviction the SIA revoked his Door Supervisor Licence to remove him from working in the private security industry.
Despite this Brown, 49, continued to work unlicensed at a city centre bar in Newcastle.
On Friday [11 April], at Newcastle Crown Court, John Brown was found guilty for working as an unlicensed security operative contrary to section 3 of the Private Security Industry Act 2001.
Brown was sentenced to three months imprisonment, suspended for 12 months and ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work. He was also fined £250 for a breach of the previous suspended sentence and ordered to pay costs of £250.
Proceeding against the security company that deployed him is currently being taken forward by the SIA.
In sentencing Brown, Judge Brian Forster QC stated: “Parliament endorsed a system which affords protection to those needing to use security services, and the public. Anyone working without a licence commits a serious offence. It is right that such an offence is punishable by imprisonment. This was a blatant offence.”
Head of Investigation Nathan Salmon said: “The regulation of the private security industry was set up to protect the public from individuals such as Mr Brown. Despite being barred from the industry for a serious violent offence, his employer showed, at best, blatant disregard for any guidance on vetting and checking staff.”