For many people in the African and wider diaspora community in the UK, security work is more than a job. It is often a first step into the labour market, a flexible way to support family, or a steady income while studying or building something bigger. That is why cases involving SIA licensing breaches are not just legal headlines. They are cautionary stories.
On 2 September 2025 at Weymouth Magistrates’ Court, Mark Tilley pleaded guilty to two offences under Section 3 of the Private Security Industry Act 2001 and one offence under Section 1 of the Fraud Act 2006. The charges arose after he continued working as a door supervisor at multiple venues in Weymouth even though his SIA door supervisor licence had expired in June 2024.
In the UK, working as a door supervisor without a valid Security Industry Authority licence is a criminal offence. The law is clear: if your badge has expired, you cannot legally continue in that role, even for one shift.
At his sentencing on 25 November 2025, Tilley was ordered to pay a fine of £80 per offence, along with a £96 victim surcharge and £164 in prosecution costs. The total financial penalty came to £500.
But the case did not end there.
Tilley had been deployed to venues by Chesil Security Ltd, a company whose sole director was William Joynes. During an interview under caution with the SIA, Joynes admitted that he deployed Tilley without checking whether he had renewed his SIA licence after it expired in June 2024.
He also admitted failing to comply with a request from the SIA to provide information and conceded that he had no reasonable excuse for that failure. In addition, he admitted giving false information by claiming that after Tilley’s licence expired, he was only working as a concierge at one of the venues rather than as a door supervisor.
As a result, Joynes pleaded guilty to two offences under Sections 5 and 23 of the Private Security Industry Act, as well as offences under Sections 19 and 22 of the same legislation. He also appeared on behalf of his former company, Chesil Security Ltd, entering guilty pleas for two offences under Section 5 of the Act, relating to the supply of unlicensed operatives.
Joynes was sentenced on 26 January 2026. He received a 12-month community order, which includes 50 hours of unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay £500 in prosecution costs and a £114 victim surcharge. Chesil Security Ltd was fined £400 and ordered to pay £500 in prosecution costs and a £160 victim surcharge.
Nicola Bolton, SIA Criminal Investigations Manager, said that by knowingly deploying an unlicensed security operative through his company, Joynes had put the public at risk for profit. She added that Tilley similarly placed the public at risk by acting as an unlicensed security guard. She welcomed the sentencing outcome, noting that it should serve as a clear warning to anyone in the security industry who seeks to ignore the law.
For many in the diaspora, especially those working as door supervisors, event security staff or concierge personnel, this case highlights a critical reality. SIA licensing is not optional paperwork. It is the legal foundation of working in the UK’s private security industry.
Under UK law, security operatives working under contract must hold and display a valid SIA licence. The offences in this case covered engaging in licensable conduct without a licence, supplying unlicensed operatives, obstructing SIA officials or failing to respond to information requests, and making false statements to the regulator. The Fraud Act offence related to false representation.
The SIA, which reports to the Home Secretary, is responsible for regulating the private security industry. Its duties include the compulsory licensing of individuals carrying out designated activities and managing the voluntary Approved Contractor Scheme.
For diaspora workers, the lesson is practical and urgent. Always check the expiry date on your SIA badge. Set reminders months in advance. Start renewal applications early to avoid gaps. If you are an employer or run a small security firm, verify your staff’s licences directly through the official SIA register rather than relying on assumptions or verbal assurances.
In an industry where many workers are migrants supporting families both in the UK and back home, the financial and reputational cost of a criminal conviction can be devastating. A fine may seem manageable on paper, but a criminal record can affect future employment, visa applications and professional credibility.
At Chijos News, our diaspora-focused reporting aims to go beyond the courtroom summary. This case is not just about one town in Dorset. It is about compliance, accountability and the importance of protecting both public safety and livelihoods in communities where security work is common.
The message from regulators is clear. Cutting corners in the security industry carries real consequences. For workers and business owners alike, staying licensed and transparent is not just about avoiding fines. It is about protecting your future in the UK.