Fugitive guilty of working illegally in Cardiff homeless shelter

On Friday 02 July, Dale Lusty was found guilty in his absence at Cardiff Magistrates' Court of working without a Security Industry Authority (SIA) licence at the Wallich Clifford Community Hostel.

On the night of 01 September 2020, South Wales Police were called to the hostel. They discovered that Lusty, who was working there as a security guard, did not possess an SIA licence. They informed the SIA, who 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 04 June at Cardiff Magistrates' Court of supplying unlicensed security to the hostel. The SIA brought 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. The court ordered him 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 refused.

Nathan Salmon, the SIA's Criminal Investigations Manager said:

"Mr Lusty was formerly licensed by the SIA, and was fully aware of the requirement to be licensed and that he had himself been refused a licence. The hostel where Mr Lusty worked illegally is a homeless shelter, particularly for vulnerable women; exactly the kind of people that the licensing regime is designed to protect. This case also highlights the importance of businesses undertaking adequate vetting checks, the lack of which has led to a conviction of this security business and its director. This should act as a warning to other security businesses that we expect them to prioritise vetting and labour controls."                                                 

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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 above news release are as follows:

Section 3(1) and 3(2b) working without a licence

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 thePrivate 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.gov.uk/sia. The SIA is also onFacebook (Security Industry Authority)andTwitter (@SIAuk).

Media enquiriesonlyplease contact:

Security Industry Authority

0300 123 9869

media.enquiries@sia.gov.uk