A Darlington man has been convicted for lying to a watchdog about unlicensed bouncers in Newton Aycliffe.

The Security Industry Authority (SIA) asked Adam Gilmore, owner of AG Security, to provide information concerning door supervisors deployed to work at a venue in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham.

This was part of an investigation into allegations of unlicensed bouncers at the venue.

When SIA investigators reviewed the information, two individuals on the list lived in a different part of the country and said they had never worked for Mr Gilmore.

When the SIA interviewed Mr Gilmore under caution, he claimed the two men had worked for him and had copies of their SIA licences and identification.

He pleaded not guilty at Peterlee Magistrates’ Court on 21 May 2024.

He was found guilty after trial on September 10 2024, and he was fined £180, ordered to pay costs of £650 and a victim surcharge of £72.

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Mark Chapman, Criminal Investigations Manager at the SIA said: "Our primary role as the regulator for the private security sector is to protect the public.

"We do this by enforcing our licensing and compliance regime.  

"Knowingly or recklessly providing false information to the SIA is a criminal offence, and this conviction demonstrates that we will actively pursue and prosecute security companies and individuals who adopt this approach."