Shropshire security firm 'used unlicensed guards'

A security business used unlicensed guards at high profile events and venues in Shropshire, it has been claimed in court.

And when the firm’s boss Matthew Davies was found out he threatened a witness giving evidence against him, the court was told.

Davies, 42, of Woodyard Lane, Quatt, denies six charges relating to the use of unlicensed security operatives and one charge of perverting the course of justice.

Davies, the sole shareholder of Showtime Security Guards, based in Craven Arms, supplied security at the 2015 V-Dubs in the Valley event near Bridgnorth.

His guards were also used for security at Tuffins supermarket in Craven Arms and at the Radbrook Campus site in Shrewsbury.

Robert Fitt, prosecuting, said the defendant made numerous attempts to persuade Thomas Ashton, of Shropshire Housing Group, not to give evidence in court.

The court heard Showtime Security Guards hired an unlicensed operative to Shropshire Housing Group in July 2016 to prevent vandalism during a building project on Shrewsbury’s Radbrook Campus.

Police visited the site on July 5 and asked the guard to produce an SIA licence.

Mr Fitt said: “The guard was asked to produce an SIA licence but said he didn’t have it on him. He said his boss, Matthew Davies, had put him through the training and was still waiting for it his badge to be sent through.

“Mr Davies later called the officer and said he was not employed as a security guard and was just there merely to help repair broken windows and hold the ladder. The prosecution says that was a lie.”

On September 5 last year, Davies phoned Mr Ashton and said if he went to court as a witness against him, his lawyers would ‘give him a hard time’, Shrewsbury Crown Court was told.

He suggested Mr Ashton would be charged with perjury and that Shropshire Housing Group would also get into trouble for not checking the guard was licensed.

The trial continues.