Suspended jail sentence for boss who supplied unlicensed security to school

A Lancashire company director who provided unlicensed security staff to a school has been handed a 32-week jail term, suspended for 12 months.

Martin Coe, the former director of Blackpool-based Evolution Security Services NW, was found guilty at Preston Magistrates’ Court on January 20, following a two-day trial at Blackpool Magistrates’ Court on October 5-6.

Coe had pleaded guilty at a previous hearing to failing to provide information to the SIA (Security Industry Authority), despite being legally required to do so.

The prosecution was brought by the SIA, who will now seek to recover assets from Coe through Proceeds of Crime Act proceedings.

SIA investigators discovered that unlicensed security guards had worked for Coe on numerous occasions at Baines School in Poulton, the Wyre Light pub in Fleetwood, and at the Poulton Industrial Estate.

Nathan Salmon, of the SIA’s criminal investigation team, said: “Martin Coe refused to cooperate with an SIA investigation, and he has wasted court time by denying the charges against him.

“Providing unlicensed security staff to a school is a very serious matter.

“The public, who expect the very highest standards from those who protect them, will be reassured that Coe will now be banned from working in security.”

He added: “In addition, we will be pursuing the recovery of any profit he has made from his crimes.”

Neil Reddington and Gavin Macaskill had originally been found working at the Wyre Light in May 2019 by a licensing officer from Lancashire Constabulary, who was following up on reports of unlicensed operatives at the venue.

Both men were employed by Evolution Security.

Reddington was sentenced at Blackpool Magistrates’ Court on February 29, 2020.