On September 11, 2023, Adewale Balogun, a man without a valid Security Industry Authority (SIA) license, was sentenced for multiple offenses related to fraud. These charges included fraud by false representation, using a false instrument, and possessing a false identity document when attempting to work as a licensed operative during two separate events in the previous summer.
Balogun received a six-month imprisonment term for using a false instrument, three months for possessing a false identity document, and another three months for fraud by false representation. These sentences were concurrent and were suspended for 18 months. As part of his sentence, he was required to complete 150 hours of unpaid work. Additionally, he was ordered to pay £500 in prosecution costs and now holds a criminal record.
His offenses came to light during routine license compliance checks conducted by the SIA investigators in collaboration with Greater Manchester Police officers at a Manchester music festival on June 11 and 12, 2022. Balogun was found working with fraudulent documents. Further investigations revealed that he had used the same false license at a Bournemouth sporting tournament in June 2022 while employed by another security company.
Despite being given the opportunity to engage with the investigation, Balogun chose not to cooperate. He entered not guilty pleas initially but later changed his plea to guilty during the hearing on July 31, 2023, at Bolton Crown Court.
In the court’s decision, Recorder Jeremy Lasker emphasized that Balogun had never held a genuine SIA license or undergone any recognized training. Despite his previous clean record, his repeated offenses warranted a custodial sentence. Jenny Hart, one of SIA’s Criminal Investigations Managers, highlighted the seriousness of Balogun’s actions, which not only undermined the credibility of trained professionals but also jeopardized public safety. She expressed gratitude to Greater Manchester Police for their assistance in uncovering the offenses and securing convictions.
She is quoted as saying, ““Adewale Balogun was holding himself out to be someone who had been trained and qualified as a door supervisor, and that he had been vetted as someone who was fit and proper to hold a licence. His actions took away legitimate work from genuine SIA licence holders.
The SIA licensing regime exists to protect the public. Balogun acted illegally and by doing so put people’s safety at risk. Mr Balogun now has a criminal record for the five serious offences including identity theft, fraud and forgery. I wish to thank Greater Manchester Police for assisting us in uncovering this offending and securing convictions.”