Fine for unlicensed security director

Pursglove’s previous convictions were for providing unlicensed security operatives, giving the SIA false information and working as an unlicensed director. 

On Friday, the court heard that Pursglove is estimated to have earned over £66k from illegally operating a security business. The assets considered under the Proceeds of Crime Act included a family home and a Mercedes Benz.

Pursglove was ordered to pay £18,283 and the confiscation order states that he must pay the full amount within 3 months or face an 8 month prison sentence should he default on the payment.

A witness in the case, a security guard from Criccieth North Wales, was also awarded £348.19 from Pursglove’s available assets.

Criminal investigations manager at the SIA Nathan Salmon said, "The powers we have under the Proceeds of Crime Act mean that the income anyone gains, when operating illegally in the private security industry, can be confiscated. The industry should take note of this because not only could a prosecution disqualify you from operating in the industry, any revenue from the period of working outside the law could be appropriated on top of that."

Pursglove was prosecuted twice. In February 2016, he was in court for supplying unlicensed security guards. As a result, he lost his SIA licence and was therefore no longer able to legally operate as a director of a security company. 

Pursglove continued to work as a director and in September 2017 he was found guilty of working without a licence and convicted again. He was then sentenced to 4 months imprisonment suspended for 2 years and given a community order of 150 hours unpaid work, on 3 November 2017.

Nathan Salmon added, "Ignoring our legislation and continuing to work having been prosecuted does not pay. Mark Pursglove is facing the consequences of such behaviour and he could lose his house as a result."