A man illegally working as a door supervisor in South Wales was prosecuted after Dyfed Powys Police collaborated with the SIA.
On Tuesday 12 September, Paul Haywood Dowson received a 12-month Community Rehabilitation Order with 10 days Rehabilitation Activity Requirement (RAR), a fine of £500, and a Victim Surcharge of £114.00 contribution to prosecution costs of £2,587.50 at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court.
Dyfed Powys Police officers observed Dowson at a licensed premises in Tenby on numerous occasions between April 2022 and June 2022 carrying out the duties of a door supervisor at the door, dressed in black, displaying an armband licence card holder and a coat bearing the text “security” displayed on it.
When the officers spoke to him on 29 May 2022, he confirmed that he was working at the premises however it was understood that his licence had expired on 18 March 2022. When the Designated Premises Supervisor became aware that he was no longer licensed in June 2022, his employment was terminated.
At his formal interview by Security Industry Authority (SIA) on 29 October 2022, Dowson claimed that he was not engaged as a door supervisor at the premises but he was working in a non-designated role in relation to CCTV installations. The premises management refuted this claim.
The bench stated at the sentencing: “This matter was a significant issue as a door supervisor is a person with (responsibility for) the well-being, regulation, and control of members of the public, you knew you did not have a valid licence but carried on over a sustained period until stopped. That shows a disregard for the law and for those you were meant to be protecting.”
Mark Chapman, one of the SIA’s Criminal Investigations Managers said: “Paul Dowson’s case is an example of what happens when individuals choose to work when not licensed to do so.
“Dowson continued to work without a licence, putting the security of the venue’s patrons and staff at risk. As a result, he now has a conviction with substantial costs to pay.”
Mr Chapman also acknowledged the contribution made to the investigation by SIA’s law enforcement partner, Dyfed Powys Police and said: “They were exemplary in supporting the SIA to bring this case to court.
“This and other similar cases in the region have further strengthened the regulated security industry by ensuring that those providing security to the public are licensed to do so”.
(Source: SIA)
