Provision of false statements to SIA results in conviction

The SIA investigated the validity of this reference, duly speaking to multiple senior staff within the foodbank who confirmed they didn’t know Alam and had not provided him with a reference.

Alam appeared at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court (pictured) on 13 May and pleaded guilty at the earliest possible opportunity. The court fined him £80 and ordered him to pay both a £32 victim surcharge and £500 in prosecution costs.

Dave McCall, criminal investigations officer at the SIA, said: “The SIA’s licensing regime is put in place to ensure door supervisors are trained and committed to protecting members of the public, but that regime is built on the foundation that people present truthful information.”

McCall added: “In producing this false character reference, Ahroon Alam undermined those foundations and sought to put the public at risk. We’re happy to see justice being delivered in this case.”

Door supervisor convicted 

Amadu Tavares was working at No6 Cocktail Bar in St Neots on Friday 10 May 2024 when officers from the Cambridgeshire Constabulary carried out licence checks on door staff. They found that his licence had previously been suspended by the SIA on 10 April that year.

Tavares was invited for interview under caution with SIA investigators on 11 July 2024 and again on 31 July. However, he failed to attend for interview on either date.

Tavares appeared at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court on 15 January this year where he entered a guilty plea for offences contrary to Section 3 of the Private Security Industry Act 2001. He received a £200 fine, an £80 victim surcharge and had to pay £280 towards prosecution costs.

Nicola Bolton, criminal investigations manager at the SIA, commented: “Our priority is public protection. We carefully review the actions of licence holders and suspend or revoke licences when necessary to keep people safe.”  

Bolton concluded: “Tavares chose to ignore the suspension of his licence, putting public safety at risk and undermining the integrity of the industry. The sentence handed down by the court will serve as a strong reminder that non-compliance carries serious consequences.”