SIA recovers £40,000-plus from convicted security boss

Back in 2019, Gaines was sentenced to four years and eight months’ imprisonment after being found guilty of four counts of fraud by false representation and one offence under Section 16 of the Private Security Industry Act 2001. These involved him employing individuals (who were often vulnerable) on security contracts without paying them the wages he owed them. Gaines also operated under multiple identities in a bid to avoid detection.

Following a complex and lengthy investigation, the SIA was granted an Enforcement Receiver Order to allow a house part-owned by Gaines in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland to be sold. The payments from this liquidation were received in July 2024, with the final court proceedings for the case concluding in August last year.

This money has been returned to the 21 victims of Gaines’ crimes. The full amount owed to the 21 victims is £58,140. Gaines remains liable for the outstanding criminal benefit amount and the SIA will act on any new information that could lead to the full recovery of this compensation.

Held to account

Mark Chapman, head of criminal enforcement at the SIA, said: “Gaines deliberately failed to pay the wages he owed to a number of security operatives who worked for his companies across several contracts. When they challenged him, he evaded, threatened and bullied his employees, claiming their work was sub-standard or that they had the incorrect documentation.”

Chapman continued: “Gaines has been held to account for his crimes, facing the full force of the law, having been convicted by a Jury of his peers. We acted using our Proceeds of Crime Act powers to identify money and property held by him. Recovering funds needed to allow the court to compensate his victims from the money that Gaines was ordered to repay.”

In conclusion, Chapman noted: “If any more of Gaines’ assets come to light, we will not hesitate to take further action to ensure that his victims receive the full compensation they deserve.”

Total criminal benefit 

In 2022, the court in the Proceeds of Crime Act hearing judged that the total criminal benefit from Gaines’ illegal activity amounted to £445,336.84. It heard that Gaines had £91,934.21 available to him following the court finding that he held a beneficial interest in a house in Enniskillen. The amount available was subsequently downgraded due to the deteriorating state of this property.