A MAN has been sentenced by the courts for working as a door supervisor at a Bournemouth bar while he was suspended.

David Dankwa-Smith pleaded guilty to a single charge of working as an illegal door supervisor.

This related to when he worked at Havana in Charminster Road between February 4 and March 5 despite being suspended by the Security Industry Authority (SIA).

The SIA, which is responsible for regulating the private security industry in the United Kingdom, suspended 31-year-old Dankwa-Smith's door supervisor licence on November 26, 2021.

The authority said the owner of Havana met with Dorset Police's licensing officer on March 8. As a routine together they checked the status of Dankwa-Smith's licence and the SIA confirmed to Dorset Police it had been suspended.

On the same day the bar's owner dismissed the defendant as soon as he was made aware of the suspended licence status.

Bournemouth Echo:

The SIA began a criminal investigation case against Dankwa-Smith, and he was invited to participate in an interview under caution, which he failed to attend.

Appearing before Poole Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, September 28, the defendant, whose address was given as Ravensdale Close, Poole, was fined £320 and ordered to pay £1,070 costs and £34 surcharge.

Jenny Hart, one of the SIA's criminal investigation managers said the case highlights the importance of due diligence checks prior to, and during the deployment of security.

Ms Hart said: "Mr Dankwa-Smith pleaded guilty to working as an unlicensed door supervisor while he was suspended. Suspension means suspension, he could not work as a door supervisor.

"He has now been prosecuted and has a criminal record. We will now be revoking Dankwa-Smith's licence.

"The purpose of the licensing regime is to protect the public.

"It's imperative that employers conduct regular checks on the validity of the licensed security staff.

"Dankwa-Smith put the public at risk and betrayed the trust of his employer."

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