A Scarborough man has learned the hard way that the Security Industry Authority doesn’t just glance at your paperwork and wave you through. According to a statement published by the SIA, Michael Fenwick was convicted at Scarborough Magistrates’ Court in May 2026 after submitting a fraudulent employment reference as part of his SIA licence application.
It’s a short news item with a long lesson behind it. If you’re applying for a door supervisor licence and your CV has a few gaps, faking your way through is the single worst move you can make. Here’s why — and what to do instead.
What Actually Happened
Fenwick supplied a fake reference to support his licence application. The SIA’s vetting team spotted it, referred the matter for prosecution, and the magistrates’ court convicted him. The SIA confirmed the outcome in its public enforcement bulletin.
It’s worth being clear about what this is and isn’t. This isn’t a technicality. It isn’t a paperwork mix-up. It is a criminal conviction for fraud, sitting on his record for years to come, and almost certainly the end of any future career in regulated security work.
Why Fake References Are a Criminal Matter, Not an Admin One
People sometimes treat licence applications like job applications — a bit of polish here, a generous interpretation there. The SIA application is different. You sign a declaration confirming the information is true. Submitting a forged document to a regulator is fraud under the Fraud Act 2006, with a maximum sentence of up to 10 years on indictment.
An SIA spokesperson has repeatedly made the point that the licensing regime exists to protect the public. Faking your way in undermines that, which is why the regulator pursues these cases through the courts rather than just refusing the application. For more insights on the dos and don’ts of applying, check out our guide on common SIA licence application mistakes people make and how to avoid them.
What the SIA Actually Verifies
A lot of applicants underestimate the checks. The SIA cross-references your application against multiple data sources, including:
- Criminal records via the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) — including unspent convictions, cautions, and in many cases spent ones too.
- Identity and right to work through document checks and, increasingly, digital identity providers.
- Training records directly with the awarding bodies that issued your qualification — they can see if your certificate is real in seconds.
- Employment and character references, which are contacted directly. The SIA does ring referees. Fake names, fake numbers and dodgy email addresses are exactly what their team is trained to spot.
- Immigration status via Home Office systems where relevant.
If something looks off — a referee who can’t be reached on the number provided, a company that doesn’t exist at Companies House, a training certificate with the wrong format — the application gets flagged for closer scrutiny. That’s when SIA fraud cases like Fenwick’s surface.
Recommended Reading: What Documents Do You Need for an SIA Application?
What to Do if Your Employment History Is Patchy
Plenty of honest applicants worry their work history isn’t tidy enough. Career changers, ex-forces personnel, people who’ve done a lot of self-employed or cash-in-hand work, parents returning after time off — none of that disqualifies you. What disqualifies you is lying about it.
Here’s how to build a strong, compliant application without fabricating anything:
1. Use the References You Actually Have
The SIA accepts a range of referees: former employers, training providers, professional contacts, even respected community figures in some cases. A real reference from a manager at a part-time job five years ago beats a fake one from a fictional security firm every time.
2. Explain Gaps Honestly
If you’ve been out of work, caring for family, travelling, or between careers, say so. The SIA isn’t looking for a perfect CV. It’s looking for someone honest enough to trust with a public-facing safety role.
3. Get Your Training in Order First
Completing a recognised door supervisor training course through an Ofqual-regulated awarding body gives you a verifiable qualification and, often, a trainer or assessor who can act as a referee. That’s a far stronger foundation than a fabricated work history.
4. Disclose Convictions Properly
Unspent convictions don’t automatically bar you from holding an SIA licence — the regulator looks at the offence, when it happened, and the circumstances. What does bar you, fast, is hiding them and getting caught. Use the SIA’s SIA licence application guidance on disclosure, or speak to a specialist if you’re unsure.
5. Ask for Help Before You Submit
If you’re stuck, ring the SIA’s contact centre or get advice from a licensed trainer. A delayed application is a minor inconvenience. An SIA fraud conviction is a life-changer.
The Bigger Picture
The Scarborough case is one of several prosecutions the SIA has brought in recent years against applicants and licence holders who tried to game the system. The regulator has been clear: it would rather take cases to court than quietly refuse applications, because the deterrent effect matters.
For the vast majority of applicants — the ones doing it properly — that’s good news. Every fake reference filtered out, every forged certificate prosecuted, raises the standing of the badge you’re working towards.
The takeaway from Scarborough is simple. The SIA checks. The SIA prosecutes. And no shortcut on an application form is worth a criminal record.
If you’re interested in exploring more security jobs and career opportunities, check out additional SIA courses and book your training today to get started.
