A former Pembrokeshire County Councillor was sentenced this week for working illegally as a door supervisor at a licensed premises in Tenby.

On Tuesday, September 12 Paul Haywood Dowson received a 12-month Community Rehabilitation Order with 10 days Rehabilitation Activity Requirement (RAR), a fine of £500, and a Victim Surcharge of £114.00 contribution to prosecution costs of £2,587.50.

Dowson worked as a security operative at Tenby’s Five Arches Inn between November 2021 and June 2022.

Dyfed Powys Police officers and a licensing officer observed him working as a door supervisor at the premises on 30 April 2022, 29 May 2022 and 04 June 2022.

On each occasion Dowson was observed carrying out the duties of a door supervisor at the door of the premises.

He was dressed predominantly in black, displaying an armband licence card holder and a coat bearing the text ‘security’ displayed on it.

When he was seen on 29 May 2022, police officers spoke to him, and he confirmed to them that he was working at the premises.

He had held two previous door supervisor licences, but his last licence had expired on 18 March 2022.

Dowson continued working at the premises until the Designated Premises Supervisor became aware that he was no longer licensed in June 2022. His employment was subsequently terminated.

Dowson was formally interviewed on 29 October 2022 by the Security Industry Authority (SIA). He agreed that he was standing outside of the door of the premises as described by the police officers but maintained that he was not engaged as a door supervisor at the premises.

He suggested that he was working at the premises in a non-designated role only, in relation to CCTV installations, but this claim was refuted by the premises management.

The bench at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court stated at the sentencing this week: “This matter was a significant issue as a door supervisor is a person with (responsibility for) the well-being, regulation, and control of members of the public, you knew you did not have a valid licence but carried on over a sustained period until stopped.

“That shows a disregard for the law and for those you were meant to be protecting.”

Mark Chapman, one of the SIA’s Criminal Investigations Managers said: “Paul Dowson’s case is an example of what happens when individuals choose to work when not licensed to do so.

“Dowson continued to work without a licence, putting the security of the venue’s patrons and staff at risk. As a result, he now has a conviction with substantial costs to pay.

“I’d like to acknowledge the contribution made to the investigation by our law enforcement partner, Dyfed Powys Police. They were exemplary in supporting the SIA to bring this case to court.

“This and other similar cases in the region have further strengthened the regulated security industry by ensuring that those providing security to the public are licensed to do so.”