Lisa Pearce Jailed for Fraud Over Fake Payslips in Security Licence Scandal
Lisa Pearce, a former door supervisor from Weston-Super-Mare, has been hit with a fraud conviction after trying to scam the Security Industry Authority (SIA) out of compensation. On 18 December 2020, Pearce pleaded guilty at Bristol Crown Court and was sentenced to 180 hours of unpaid work to be completed within two years.
Fake Payslips Spark SIA Investigation
Pearce’s SIA licence expired in August 2018. She applied for a renewal in February 2019, but a delay in processing her application sparked her claim for loss of earnings compensation. The SIA, which allows license holders to claim for delayed applications, asked Pearce for proof of income during the gap period.
However, Pearce handed over suspicious payslips for November and December 2018 and January 2019, totaling over £4,000. The SIA’s Criminal Investigations team tried to verify the documents but hit a dead end.
Under caution in an August 2019 interview, Pearce admitted she had downloaded template payslips from the internet and edited them to look legitimate, effectively committing fraud.
SIA Cracks Down on Fraudulent Claims
Nathan Salmon, from the SIA’s Criminal Investigations team, slammed Pearce’s actions: “Lisa Pearce sought to defraud the SIA by providing false documents. Licensees have a right to compensation if there is a case, but if there is an attempt to defraud, then the SIA will prosecute.”
Pearce’s licence was suspended during the legal process. Following her conviction, she has lost her licence entirely due to her criminal record.
Judge Slams ‘Stupid’ Fraud Attempt
His Honour Julian Lambert pulled no punches during sentencing: “Pearce’s decision to make the false claim for loss of earnings to the SIA was a stupid one. Her lies have caught up with her and now she must pay the price.”
“That price is the loss of a job that she loved and the means to support herself.”
