Unlicensed Operative Deployed at Cambridge City Council

1 August 2008: Yesterday at Cambridge Magistrates' Court, cash and valuable in transit operative Brendan Michael O'Mahony pleaded guilty to ten offences under Section 3(1) of the Private Security Industry Act 2001 - working without a Security Industry Authority licence.

Brendan Michael O'Mahony (27) of Dingley Court, Peterborough, was employed by Central Security (East Anglia) Ltd and was found working illegally in January 2008, providing cash and valuables in transit services to Cambridge City Council.

Nigel Davies, an SIA Head of Investigation said:

"O'Mahony was working illegally in this position of trust, providing cash and valuables in transit services to Cambridge City Council. In this of all roles it is imperative that CVIT operatives hold an SIA licence which demonstrates that the holder is trained, qualified and has undergone identity and criminal records checks."

The Court fined O'Mahony £245 and ordered him to pay costs of £265.

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.