Belfast duo convicted for working without SIA licence cards

McDonnell and Gouldie worked in security roles at a bar in Belfast despite not holding valid Security Industry Authority (SIA) licences for doing so. The men were discovered working unlicensed during a planned SIA inspection operation conducted in the city on 15 September last year.

Appearing at Belfast Magistrates’ Court on 7 May, McDonnell pleaded guilty to working without a licence. He received a fine of £250 and was ordered to pay £166 in costs. Gouldie appeared at Belfast Magistrates’ Court on 4 June and also entered a guilty plea. He subsequently received a fine of £100 and was ordered to pay £210 in costs.

Jenny Hart, criminal investigations manager for the SIA, said: “Working unlicensed in the security industry is a serious offence that potentially puts people at risk as they go about their daily lives. We conduct regular inspection and enforcement operations across the UK to make sure individuals and venue management alike follow these important regulations. This case is another important reminder to anyone who wants to take the risk of working without a licence that crime doesn’t pay.”

Door supervision duties

In August and September 2023, Stephen Goodwin worked as a door supervisor at a bar in Garforth without holding a valid SIA licence the venue. He did so for three nights while in possession of another individual’s licence card.

It emerged that Goodwin has not held a valid SIA door supervisor’s licence since April 2018.

Appearing at Kirklees Magistrates’ Court on 22 March, Goodwin pleaded guilty to working without a licence. He was given a conditional discharge for a period of six months and also ordered to pay £152 costs and a £52 victim surcharge. 

Commenting on this case, Jenny Hart observed: ”Correctly licensed door supervisors are key to protecting members of the public. They need to undertake the appropriate training and be considered a fit and proper person to do the job safely. Stephen Goodwin decided to circumvent the strict regulations the SIA has in place and has now paid the price. He put himself and others at risk by intervening in an incident while working unlicensed. We encourage all security suppliers to verify that their operatives hold a valid and genuine SIA licence.”

Protecting the public

The SIA is the regulator of the UK’s private security industry. Its key purpose is to protect the public through effective regulation of the private security industry and working with partners to raise standards across the sector.

The organisation is directly responsible for licensing individuals who transact certain roles in the private security industry and for approving private security companies who wish to be part of the voluntary Approved Contractor Scheme.

In 2023, the SIA is marking 20 years since it was established and issued the first licences back in April 2004.

The SIA is an executive non-departmental public body sponsored by the Home Office. Further information is available online at www.gov.uk/sia