On 19th May, at Milton Keynes Magistrates’ Court, two unlicensed directors of a security company were sentenced for offences under the Private Security Industry Act 2001. Both pleaded guilty to the offences.
Helen Roberts (36), of Melbourne Terrace, Bradville, Milton Keynes, pleaded guilty to three offences; working as an unlicensed director of a security company; failing to provide the SIA with information; providing false information to the SIA.
Simeon Stewart (35), of Leven Close, Bletchley, Milton Keynes, pleaded guilty to two offences; working as an unlicensed director of a security company; failing to provide information to the SIA.
Both offenders became directors of Affinity Nationwide Ltd in January 2014, but neither held an SIA licence. Affinity operated from Helen Roberts’ home address and supplied security guards to a number of customers in the Milton Keynes area.
The SIA worked with Roberts to assist her in becoming compliant with the law, but Roberts failed to apply for a licence and she failed to provide accurate information to the SIA.
Stewart had previously held an SIA Door Supervisor licence, which had expired in 2010. Stewart accepted he was a shareholder of Affinity, but claimed he was unaware he was one of Affinity’s two directors.
Roberts was sentenced to 16 weeks imprisonment, suspended for 12 months; a community service order of 150 hours of unpaid work; to pay prosecution costs of £4,209.
Stewart was sentenced to a community service order of 150 hours of unpaid work; to pay prosecution costs of £3,000.
Nathan Salmon, SIA Investigations Manager said:
“Helen Roberts has previously been warned by the SIA for acting as an unlicensed director but she disregarded the advice and went on to become the director of Affinity Nationwide Ltd. When the SIA attempted to engage with Roberts she provided false information regarding her business practices.
“Simeon Stewart was well aware of the SIA’s licensing regime. He had become a director and shareholder of Affinity, but failed to get the proper licence. When questioned about his business involvement, Stewart too failed to provide accurate information.
“Both Robert and Stewart had complete disregard for the requirements of security company directors to be SIA licensed. The sentencing reflects the severity of the offences, and it clearly demonstrates that unlicensed security directors will not be tolerated.”