23 June 2008: Today at Nottingham Magistrates' Court, security guard Matthew John Kelly pleaded guilty to six offences under Section 3(1) of the Private Security Industry Act 2001 - working without an SIA licence.

Kelly, 56, from Highbury Vale, Bulwell was an employee of Stealth Security Services. He was found working illegally as a security guard at the Bestwood Lodge Hotel, Bestwood Country Park, Nottingham, last autumn.

John Montague, the SIA's Head of Formal Investigation said:

"SIA licensing protects the public from unsuitable people working in positions of trust in the private security industry. We always take a fair and proportionate approach to our enforcement actions, but we expect security companies and their employees to comply with the law at all times."

Kelly was given a 12 month conditional discharge and costs of £100.

Notes to Editors:

• The maximum penalty for committing an offence such as working without a licence or supplying unlicensed staff is six months' imprisonment and/or fine up to £5,000 (or trial on indictment to crown court, whereby an unlimited fine and/or five years' imprisonment could be imposed)
• SIA licences can be checked through the Register of Licence Holders, available 24-hours on the SIA website.
• The SIA always takes a fair and proportionate approach to enforcement action and will take into account the progress an individual has made towards getting or renewing a licence e.g. training completed, licence application submitted. However, the SIA expects security companies and individuals to comply with the law. Further information can be found on the Enforcement pages of the SIA website.