Unlicensed security director fined £1,000

A former Dorset security director was yesterday fined £1,000 after pleading guilty to supplying unlicensed doorstaff and not holding a valid licence himself.

Andrew Mark Lee, who ran Trade Secret Security, was also fined a victim surcharge of £15 and ordered to pay costs of £500 at Bournemouth Crown Court.

During routine licensing checks in May, a door supervisor supplied by Lee was found working wihtout a valid Security Industry Authority (SIA) licence and received a police caution.

Lee was also found working without a licence and was arrested.

"Lee admitted that he had never held an SIA licence - demonstrating little regard for the law or for the public's safety," said SIA head of investigation Rachel White.

"This case demonstrates the police and SIA commitment to ensuring door staff are working legally, and have shown that they are fit and proper persons to act in security roles by undergoing training and vetting in obtaining the SIA licence."

Dave Fish of Dorset police's licensing team said he hoped Lee's conviction would "send out a strong message".