Ex-security boss banned from business after providing unlicensed security guards to Poulton school

Martin Coe, 44, of Fleetwood Road North,Thornton was found guilty of supplying the security to Baines School in Poulton, the Wyre Light pub in Fleetwood, and the Poulton Industrial Estate following a two-day trial at Blackpool Magistrates’ Court in October.

At a previous hearing, he pleaded guilty to failing to provide information to the SIA, despite being legally required to do so.

The prosecution was brought by the Security Industry Authority (SIA). Nathan Salmon, of the SIA’s Criminal Investigation Team, said: "Martin Coe refused to co-operate with an SIA investigation, and he has wasted court time by denying the charges against him. Providing unlicensed security staff to a school is a very serious matter. The public, who expect the very highest standards from those who protect them, will be reassured that Coe will now be banned from working in security. In addition, we will be pursuing the recovery of any profit he has made from his crimes."

Alison Chapman, head teacher of Baines School, said: "We employ a local security company to ensure our site is kept secure over the weekend. This is always outside of school hours when none of our students are present.

"As soon as they became aware of irregularities with a subcontractor who had provided staff for our site on a small number of occasions, this company reported their concerns to the authorities, and we were happy to cooperate with the investigation which followed.

Coe's dodgy business practices came to light in May 2019 when two bouncers from Evolution Security Services NW, which he operated, were found working at the Wyre Light by a licensing officer from Lancashire police.

He was sentenced to 32 weeks in jail, suspended for 12 months, at a hearing at Preston Crown Court on January 20.