Doorman used fake licence to work at Birmingham city centre bar

Seydina Samb made a quick exit from the venue in Victoria Street, Birmingham, when his lie was unravelled

A ‘dishonest’ man used a fake licence to land a security job at a city centre bar. Seydina Samb, who was working as head doorman, made a quick exit from the venue in Birmingham, when his lie was unravelled.

Investigators from the Security Industry Authority (SIA) were carrying out routine inspections alongside West Midlands Police officers on October 21, 2021, when they visited the unnamed bar. Two men at the door, who were both wearing black security uniforms, were asked for their licences.

Samb, from West Bromwich, produced a licence with his photograph and name – but it used someone else’s SIA licence. He promptly left the venue, while SIA investigators took a look at the bar’s signing-in book and discovered Samb had previously worked there eight times that month.

The SIA launched a criminal investigation but Samb repeatedly failed to engage with investigators until he pleaded not guilty to one count of fraud by false representation at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court on October 31, 2022. However when he returned to court on June 30 this year, he changed his plea to guilty and was given a 12-month community order.

He was ordered to carry out 80-hours unpaid work and must pay £500 court costs and a victim surcharge of £95. During the sentencing hearing, District Judge Bristow said: “Samb gave a thoroughly dishonest representation to the company in using the fraudulent licence”, adding: “Those who work on the doors are in a highly trusted position, dealing with people involved with disorder and criminality.”

The judge continued: “Samb presented a licence card with his photo and name on it but used someone else’s SIA licence details. Those who put themselves in trusted positions, both as an employee and a door supervisor, should not do so by dishonest means.”

Speaking after the hearing, Mark Chapman, one of the SIA’s criminal investigation managers, said: “The purpose of the SIA’s licensing regime is to protect the public. Seydina Samb has pleaded guilty to working with a fake licence in Birmingham’s city centre. The venue and its patrons deserve better by having security that is vetted and appropriately trained to keep them safe.”

Source – Birmingham Mail