The case dates back to October 2021 when SIA investigators questioned Kufuli at his place of work. Upon being approached, he fled the scene, avoiding further questioning. He was later summoned to City of London Magistrates’ Court in January 2023 to face charges, but failed to appear, resulting in a warrant for his arrest.
Kufuli remained on the run until 29 May 2024, when he was finally apprehended by law enforcement. He pleaded guilty to two charges on 30 May at High Wycombe Magistrates’ Court. The sentencing took place on 4 September 2024 at Aylesbury Crown Court, where he was handed a 12-month prison sentence for his fraudulent activities.
Jenny Hart, Criminal Investigations Manager at the SIA, stressed the dangers of individuals using fake licences in the security industry. “When somebody works in the private security industry with a cloned licence, they put the public, their colleagues, and themselves at risk,” Hart said. She further emphasised that licensed security operatives undergo extensive training to ensure they can protect the public, adding that unvetted and untrained individuals like Kufuli endanger lives.
Hart also praised the collaboration between the SIA, Thames Valley Police, and the Metropolitan Police in tracking down Kufuli after he evaded justice. “This conviction shows that we will not stop pursuing those seeking to escape justice by going into hiding. We work with the police to locate and ensure the arrest of those who commit these types of crimes and bring them to court.”
The SIA continues to urge the public to report any suspected illegal activity within the security industry, stressing that unlicensed and untrained operatives present a significant risk to public safety.
