A Cardiff man is the first person to be found guilty of an offence under Section 19 of the Private Security Industry Act 2001.
That is, intentionally obstructing any person in the exercise of Security Industry Authority (SIA) business.
On Monday, October 10 at Cardiff Magistrates Court, door man Dustin Pitman, was found guilty of two offences, obstructing an SIA Official and working without holding an SIA licence. Pitman was fined £200 and given a conditional discharge.
On March 13, officers from South Wales Police were conducting checks on door staff at Bar Risa in the city centre. When asked, Pitman could not produce a door supervisor licence, he gave false information to the police and attempted to leave the venue, the court heard.
What they say
Sue Sheath, SIA Head of Investigation for Wales commented after the case: "Door Supervisors play an important role in ensuring a safe night out in Cardiff and it is vital they are professionally trained and qualified. Those door supervisors who persist in working without a licence put themselves at risk of prosecution, and this conviction demonstrates that unlicensed activity will not be tolerated. We work closely with South Wales Police to ensure that there is compliance with the legislation and commend their efforts in bringing this case to trial.
