The Security Industry Authority successfully reclaimed £40,941.60 from John Gaines, who was convicted of defrauding his security company’s employees in 2019

Over £40,000 Recovered from Convicted Security Boss
Over £40,000 Recovered from Convicted Security Boss

The SIA, using its powers under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, has reclaimed over £40,000 that was earned through fraudulent activities by former security company boss John Gaines, and has returned it to his victims.

Mr Gaines was sentenced to 4 years and 8 months’ imprisonment in 2019 after being found guilty of 4 counts of fraud by false representation and one offence under Section 16 of the Private Security Industry Act 2001. These involved him employing individuals, who were often vulnerable, on security contracts without paying them the wages he owed them. Gaines also operated under multiple identities to avoid detection.

Following a complex and lengthy investigation, the SIA was granted an Enforcement Receiver Order (ERO) to allow a house part-owned by Gaines in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland to be sold. The payments from this liquidation were received in July 2024, but the final court proceedings for the case concluded in August 2025.

This money has been returned to the 21 victims of Mr Gaines’s crimes. The full amount owed to the 21 victims is £58,140. Gaines remains liable for the outstanding criminal benefit amount and the SIA will act on any new information that could lead to the full recovery of this compensation.

Mark Chapman, Head of Criminal Enforcement at the SIA, said:

In 2022 the court in the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) hearing judged that the total criminal benefit from Gaines’s illegal activity amounted to £445,336.84. It heard that Gaines had £91,934.21 available to him following the court finding that he held a beneficial interest in a house in Enniskillen. The amount available was subsequently downgraded due to the deteriorating state of this property.

Background

The Security Industry Authority is the organisation responsible for regulating the private security industry in the United Kingdom, reporting to the Home Secretary under the terms of the Private Security Industry Act 2001. The SIA’s main duties are the compulsory licensing of individuals undertaking designated activities and managing the voluntary Approved Contractor Scheme.