The UK’s security regulator has recovered more than £40,000 for workers who were exploited by a former security company boss, offering long-awaited justice to victims who were denied wages while carrying out security duties across multiple contracts.
Using its powers under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, the Security Industry Authority (SIA) reclaimed the funds from John Gaines, a former security firm operator who was convicted of fraud and jailed in 2019. The money has now been returned to 21 victims, many of whom were described as vulnerable workers.
Gaines was sentenced to four years and eight months in prison after being found guilty of four counts of fraud by false representation and an offence under the Private Security Industry Act 2001. The court heard that he repeatedly employed individuals on security contracts without paying them the wages they were owed, while operating under multiple identities to evade regulators and avoid detection.
The recovery followed a complex investigation that culminated in an Enforcement Receiver Order, allowing a partially owned property belonging to Gaines in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland, to be sold. Proceeds from the sale were received in July 2024, with final court proceedings concluding in August 2025.
Although the £40,000 recovered does not cover the full amount owed, it represents a significant step toward justice. The total compensation due to the victims stands at £58,140, and authorities say Gaines remains legally liable for the outstanding balance. The SIA has confirmed it will act on any new information that could lead to the recovery of the remaining funds.
Mark Chapman, Head of Criminal Enforcement at the SIA, said Gaines deliberately withheld wages from security operatives and resorted to intimidation, bullying, and false claims about performance or documentation when workers challenged him. He said the regulator used the full force of the law to trace and recover assets so victims could finally receive compensation.
The case also revealed that a court determined Gaines benefited by more than £445,000 from his illegal activities. While he initially had over £90,000 in available assets, the amount recoverable was later reduced due to the deteriorating condition of the property used to secure compensation.
For many in the African, Caribbean and wider global diaspora working in the UK’s private security sector, the case resonates deeply. Security roles are often filled by migrant and minority workers, making strong enforcement and accountability essential to protecting livelihoods and dignity at work.
The SIA has reiterated that all security operatives working under contract must hold a valid SIA licence and that employers who exploit workers or flout the law will face severe consequences, including confiscation of criminal assets and prison sentences.
As the UK continues to rely on a diverse workforce to support critical services, the recovery of these funds sends a clear message: exploitation will be pursued, profits from crime will be stripped away, and victims will not be forgotten.
Chijos News will continue to follow stories that matter to the diaspora, spotlighting accountability, justice, and the protection of workers across the UK.
