Brigg-based company fined for supply of unlicensed security

Earlier this year, the Security Industry Authority (SIA) prosecuted Abbas Ali Shah for working illegally at the nightclub. 

West Yorkshire Police investigated the venue and discovered that signing-in sheets had been completed by an unlicensed security operative. Abbas Ali Shah had worked illegally between 11 November 2018 and 17 March 2019.

The SIA took over the investigation and, during 2019, made repeated attempts to carry out interviews. The SIA was informed that an accountancy firm was acting on behalf of the directors.

Bashir was a manager within Liberty Security Solutions, but told the SIA that he had nothing to do with the staffing, contracts or payroll and had no knowledge of Abbas Ali Shah.

Evidence demonstrated that this was untrue. This led to the SIA prosecuting the case. The ongoing pandemic has delayed the progress of this investigation and prosecution.

Nathan Salmon, criminal investigations manager at the SIA, said: “Clubbers at the venue in question would have had every expectation that licensed and regulated security staff would keep them safe on a night out. Bashir and Liberty have incurred costs and gained a criminal record.”

Fugitive guilty of illegal working

A security officer who worked illegally at a Cardiff shelter housing vulnerable women has been convicted after failing to attend court for a second time.

On Friday 2 July in his absence, Dale Lusty was found guilty at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court of working without an SIA licence at the Wallich Clifford Community Hostel.

On the night of 1 September 2020, South Wales Police were called to the hostel. They discovered that Lusty, who was working there as a security officer, did not possess an SIA licence. They informed the SIA who then began an investigation.

Lusty had responded to an urgent social media post sent by NIA Security, operated by Ricky Moloney, asking for licensed security to cover a shift at the hostel. Lusty told Moloney that he was sourcing a licensed operative, yet turned up to work the shift himself. The SIA later interviewed Moloney, who admitted that he had not carried out a thorough licence check of Dale Lusty. Moloney consequently pleaded guilty on 4 June at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court of supplying unlicensed security to the hostel. The SIA brought forward both prosecutions.

Following the meeting with Moloney, the SIA made repeated attempts to interview Lusty who failed to respond. Lusty was handed a reduced sentence due to his financial circumstances as he is in receipt of benefits. He is already paying off £2,500 in fines. He has been ordered to pay £180, as well as court costs of £467.50 and a victim surcharge of £34.

Lusty formerly held a licence for three years between 2007 and 2010. The SIA revoked his licence as they discovered he had criminal convictions that he had failed to declare. He made a subsequent licence application in May 2018, which the SIA subsequently refused.