A Cardiff man has recently been prosecuted at Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates’ Court for illegally working as a security guard. Aymen Essa was fined £100 and ordered to pay £846 in prosecution costs, along with a £40 victim surcharge.
The Security Industry Authority (SIA) initiated the prosecution after receiving information from the South Wales Police regarding Mr. Essa’s illegal employment at a construction site within an industrial estate in Rhondda on January 9, 2023.
South Wales Police officers responded to an alarm at the site on January 8, 2023. Upon arrival, they discovered Aymen Essa working as a security guard, wearing a high-visibility jacket. When asked to present his SIA license, Mr. Essa failed to produce one. It was later revealed that he had been deployed by a Cardiff-based security company, which held the security contract for the industrial estate.
The case was subsequently referred to the SIA’s Criminal Investigations team. Aymen Essa was invited for an interview under caution at Cardiff Bay Police Station on May 23, 2023. However, during the interview, Mr. Essa refused to answer any questions and stated, “take me to court.” The SIA is also pursuing a prosecution against the security company responsible for deploying Mr. Essa.
Mark Chapman, one of the SIA’s criminal investigations managers, expressed his thoughts on the matter. “Aymen Essa was found working illegally at a construction site in Rhondda. His previous history indicates that he is not a fit and proper person to hold an SIA license, and this latest activity will further add to his criminal record. Employers are reminded of their responsibility to conduct thorough due diligence checks on the individuals they hire, ensuring that they are licensed and suitable for the crucial task of protecting the public and premises. Failure to do so will result in regulatory action,” he said.
Chapman also extended his gratitude to the South Wales Police for their collaboration with the SIA in securing this prosecution. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of proper licensing and compliance within the security industry, emphasising the need for employers to diligently vet their employees to ensure public safety and adherence to regulations.
