Dudley security boss and unlicensed guard prosecuted for working at a Solihull hotel

On Friday 24 January, two security guards were fined at Birmingham Magistrates' Court for offences against the Private Security Industry Act (PSIA).

Dudley security boss Tammy Sharman and security guard Gregory Clarke pleaded guilty to the offences following an investigation by the Security Industry Authority (SIA). Sharman, the operator of Black Country Security Services, provided the services of an unlicensed security guard - Gregory Clarke - to a Solihull hotel on 01 June 2019.

On Friday Sharman was ordered to pay a fine of £300, plus court costs of £500 and a victim surcharge of £30. Clarke was fined £120 and ordered to pay £30 victim surcharge, plus court costs of £350.

The prosecution was brought by the SIA following a tip-off by West Midlands Police. The SIA investigated a claim that a hotel had an unlicensed security guard on the night of the Champions League final. West Midlands Police and SIA investigators met with Sharman, and she admitted to deploying Gregory Clarke.

Gregory Clarke's SIA licence expired in 2016. In November 2018 he was refused a subsequent licence following a series of convictions for battery and harassment handed to him at Birmingham and Solihull Magistrates' Court.

Nathan Salmon, of the SIA's Criminal Investigations Team, commented on this case: 

"Clarke pretended to be licensed, although he wasn't, and worked illegally as security guard for the hotel. Sharman failed to do due diligence checks on Clarke, meaning that on the night of the Champions League final, patrons of the hotel were not protected effectively.

 Together these two have broken the law. Sharman has provided unsuitable labour for her client, and Clarke has knowingly worked while unlicensed. Sharman will likely lose her own licence, and they have both incurred fines and criminal records." 

 - Ends -

Notes to Editors:

1. By law, security operatives working under contract must hold and display a valid SIA licence. Information about SIA enforcement and penalties can be found on the website.
2. The offences relating to the Private Security Industry Act (2001) that are mentioned in the news release are as follows:

• Section 3 working without a licence
• Section 5 deploying unlicensed guards

The Private Security Industry Act 2001 is available online via: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2001/12/contents    

Further information:

The Security Industry Authority is the organisation responsible for regulating the private security industry in the United Kingdom, reporting to the Home Secretary under the terms of the Private Security Industry Act 2001. The SIA's main duties are: the compulsory licensing of individuals undertaking designated activities; and managing the voluntary Approved Contractor Scheme.

For further information about the Security Industry Authority or to sign up for email updates visit:www.sia.homeoffice.gov.uk. The SIA is also onFacebook (Security Industry Authority) andTwitter (@SIAuk).

Media enquiriesonlyplease contact:

Security Industry Authority

0300 123 9869

media.enquiries@sia.gov.uk