Stephen Berrisford, a resident of Weston-super-Mare, recently admitted guilt in a case concerning the provision of unlicensed security services during last year's Oktoberfest in the town. The plea was entered at North Somerset Magistrates' Court.
Berrisford, who operates as a sole trader under the name Steve Security & Supply and holds an SIA license, was fined £133. Additionally, he is responsible for covering court costs amounting to £500 and must pay a victim surcharge of £34, all due by August 31, 2022.
Previous Prosecution Related to Oktoberfest
This sentencing follows a related prosecution involving another individual from Weston-super-Mare. On May 6, Chadd Heath was found guilty of providing unlicensed security services at the same Oktoberfest event.
The investigation into the Oktoberfest security began on October 1, 2021, when SIA investigators, in collaboration with Devon and Cornwall Police licensing officers, conducted a routine examination at the event. They discovered three individuals donned in security jackets at the entrance, two of whom presented valid security licenses upon request. Heath, the third individual, failed to produce a license and was subsequently questioned.
Investigation Findings
The investigation revealed that Steve Security & Supply was responsible for deploying the security personnel. Heath, who wore a jacket labeled 'Security' claiming warmth as his reason, admitted to working without a license.
SIA officials contacted Stephen Berrisford during the investigation to confirm Heath's position. Berrisford claimed Heath was merely serving as a steward, a role Berrisford believed did not require licensing. However, discussions with Oktoberfest organizers contradicted this assertion, indicating that seven door supervisors were hired, without any mention of stewards.
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Stephen Berrisford pleaded guilty at North Somerset Magistrates’ Court to supplying unlicensed security to the town’s Oktoberfest last year.
Weston-super-Mare man, Stephen Berrisford pleaded guilty at North Somerset Magistrates’ Court to supplying unlicensed security to the town’s Oktoberfest last year.
Mr Berrisford was fined £133 and is required to pay court costs of £500 and a victim surcharge of £34 by 31 August 2022.
He is a sole-trader trading as Steve Security & Supply and is in possession of an SIA licence.
Another Weston-super-Mare man
Friday’s sentencing follows the prosecution of another Weston-super-Mare man, Chadd Heath on 6 May, where Heath pleaded guilty to working as unlicensed security at Oktoberfest.
SIA investigators visited the Oktoberfest as part of routine licence inspection in partnership with Devon and Cornwall Police licensing officers on 1 October 2021. They saw three people wearing security jackets at the entrance gate and asked to see their security licences.
Two people correctly displayed their licences, which were verified by the investigators. The third person, Chadd Heath, did not display a licence, and the SIA investigators challenged him.
The incidence
The SIA investigators found that the security was deployed by Steve Security & Supply
That night, Heath wore a jacket marked with the word ‘Security’ which he said he was wearing to keep himself warm. Heath revealed that he did not have a license and was therefore working illegally.
The SIA investigators found that the security was deployed by Steve Security & Supply and on the same night contacted Mr Berrisford, the sole trader of the enterprise to check Mr Heath’s status. Mr Berrisford said that Heath was working as a steward and therefore did not need to be licensed.
The SIA investigation officer found out from the Oktoberfest organisers that they had procured seven door supervisors and no stewards to protect the event.
