The below article has been taken from the website Working On The Doors, original source found here
Repeat offender, Robert Dass, a former Luton security boss has paid a significant confiscation order after being found guilty of operating illegally for the second time.
On 15 July 2020 Robert Dass, was fined £1800 for two counts of contravention of the Private Security Industry Act 2001 and ordered to pay prosecution costs of £7,029.50 at Harrow Crown Court. The court also heard that Dass has already satisfied a confiscation order related to these offences totalling £8,654.70. This resulted from our pursuit of Dass’ criminal benefit for unlicensed business dealings in accordance with the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA).
Wednesday’s result follows Dass’s guilty plea at Luton Crown Court in June 2019. We prosecuted him for working as a security director without a licence.
Dass admitted at the earlier hearing to being the director of Roberts Nationwide Support Services Ltd. His guilty plea came ahead of a scheduled trial at Luton and South Bedfordshire Magistrates’ Court.
Her Honour Judge Herbert said at the hearing on Wednesday:
“You are no longer involved with this industry in any way, which I am frankly glad to hear.
You don’t seem to have learned much from what happened before.This is a responsible business, it is important that the regulations are complied with.
I will allow you six months to make [fine and cost] payment and 28 days’ imprisonment in default of payment. A victim surcharge will be applied in the correct amount.”
Nathan Salmon, one of our Criminal Investigations Managers, said:
“To protect the vast majority of reputable businesses operating within our industry we will prosecute anyone who continues to ignore SIA laws. Using POCA powers extends our ability to punish such breaches having far reaching consequences. Regulation of the industry exists in order to protect those who use contracted security services and the general public.”
We originally prosecuted Robert Dass in March 2016 when he was found guilty at Luton Crown Court, along with his business Nationwide Security Management Ltd, of supplying multiple unlicensed security guards at sites across the UK. He was fined £2,000 and ordered to pay costs of £7,000. In addition, his company was found guilty on four counts. It was also fined £2,000 and ordered to pay costs of £7,000.
Dass’ continued offending was identified when our investigators were checking licences in London in October 2017. They identified Dass as a manager and supervisor to security staff at one venue. Further investigation revealed that he was also acting as a shadow director. The investigators spoke to the security guards he employed, who confirmed that he was acting as a director, and that they viewed him as the head of the company. Our investigators also gathered evidence from his clients, who were ready to identify Mr Dass as the controlling mind at his trial.
Dass declined a formal interview claiming that he was sick. However, he was unable to provide evidence of his illness to us. As a result, we prosecuted him for the second time.
With the security industry growing bigger and bigger we see situations like this which put peoples livelihood in danger. At Frontline Security we are firmly positioned among the most respected independent security companies in the UK. At each of our 9 Regional Offices we employ local and fully trained SIA security specialists who have attained the most demanding standards and Accreditation’s and offer a unique range of Security Services.
