Advice ref previous convictions

P

PHEONIX

Full Registered User
Hello all, this is my first post and I would like to ask for some advice. I openly admit this is the main reason I have registered but should my licence be granted, it certainly won't be my last.

I have recently undergone and passed the training course and wish to apply for a Security Guarding licence. I asked the people running the course about my previous convictions and was told as they were now deemed as 'spent' they would not hinder my being granted a licence. However looking in more depth I would say I am more likely to be refused and feel the training company simply wanted my £150 ( I really can't afford to lose it but hey ho...my own fault)

My previous convictions are:-

2006 - Warning for Possession of Cannabis ( a spliff)

2008 - One year ( suspended for 2 years) Possession of Class A with intent to supply ( friends only)---basically I knew a dealer and bought some Cocaine for a couple of friends and myself.....Yes, I am an idiot.

I have tried to make something of myself over the past few years and have just completed a two year apprenticeship at college in Painting and Decorating but there simply is no work in that field at the moment but I have been offered an opportunity as Security Guard, providing I get a licence.

Sorry to waffle but if anyone can give me any honest opinions of whether it would be worth applying I would be most grateful.
 
So what you're saying is that you're a convicted drug dealer?

Now, I may be wrong, but I would hazard a guess that the chances of you getting your license are very slim indeed.

More to the point, your TP would or should have known this. Afterall, if someone is a TP, you would think that they would have an intimate knowledge of all things associated with the subject that they're teaching wouldn't you?

I'd go back and have words if I were you, 'cause it sounds like you've been sold a wrong'un.
 
Thanks for the reply Starlight.

Just to say I am not proud of my convictions and have learnt a harsh lesson. The convictions I have were classed as minor by the Court and more to do with my naivety than seeking to gain any profit. BUT you are correct, I am a convicted drug dealer and have suffered the consequences. What I am trying to do is get back into work and stop relying on my parents as I have had to do for the past couple of years ( I was unable to claim any benefits whatsoever due to my college course being full time).

The sarcasm in your post is noted but the content is what I was expecting so, once again, thanks for the advice , it would appear I have been incorrectly advised by the Training Provider.
 
Pheonix,

Have you rung the SIA? The paragraph on their website may say 'Under our rules, you will be automatically rejected for a licence, unless you have been free of the sentence restrictions for a conviction for at least 12 months and up to five years in more serious cases, before your licence application', however you've past this date with your offence in 2008. They treat everything on an individual basis - so you never know?!
 
Operator144, no...haven't tried ringing them tbh as I didn't think they'd discuss it over the phone. Thanks for the suggestion, I'll give it a try.
 
PHEONIX said:
Thanks for the reply Starlight.

Just to say I am not proud of my convictions and have learnt a harsh lesson. The convictions I have were classed as minor by the Court and more to do with my naivety than seeking to gain any profit. BUT you are correct, I am a convicted drug dealer and have suffered the consequences. What I am trying to do is get back into work and stop relying on my parents as I have had to do for the past couple of years ( I was unable to claim any benefits whatsoever due to my college course being full time).

The sarcasm in your post is noted but the content is what I was expecting so, once again, thanks for the advice , it would appear I have been incorrectly advised by the Training Provider.
Click to expand...

Sorry about the sarcasm. Just couldn't resist it. Goes with the territory I'm affraid. ;)

Keep working hard mate. Good luck for the future, whatever you end up doing.

Starlight out.
 
Well you have done the course so there is no point in not trying to get your licence.

You have been a stupid lad but I am sure everyone on here is guilty of being young and stupid. If they are mistakes and you are on the straight and narrow then good luck to you.

Honest opinion: Why should SIA grant you a licence when so many people with clean records are applying? The market is flooded with people with licences and so many jobs require Criminal Record Bureau (CRB). If two were to apply to me and one had a record and the other had a clean one with the same level of qualification and experience I know who I would pick... Its a big bad world and even badder in the security industry.
 
Hello Pheonix :) I have serious doubts you will ever get your license and your TP should have been more forthcoming and not all about the profit margins.Just have a read through what the SIA consider serious offences etc.
If you were an employer would you employ someone with a conviction as a drug dealer when there are thousands of other applicants with clean licenses ?? Just a thought!
Good luck with your future, a hard lesson to learn.

Cautions, Warnings, Absolute/Conditional Discharges and Admonishments

NASH..
 
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I would be worried if the SIA granted you a license at this time, pardon the pun keep your nose clean for a few more years, 2008?. When i think of all the the good men,women in the job and those looking for work, as a sometime employer i say i wouldnt employ you. We all do stupid things,i have done my share so i wish you the best for the future
Frankco
 
It is worth noting that at least you have the ball's to admit your crimes on an open forum and realizing your mistakes, but let that be a lesson & move on, so Keep ya chin up, nose clean (excuse the pun) and who know's, you may get that second chance...

ATB
 
The chances of the license are very slim but like stated by other members you have done the course so you may as well give it a shot. If the convictions are classed as spent then they may ask you to provide references. If this is the case then they are not to have a vesting interest in your career. I would start thinking about your choices now and ask them to consider it. My personal opinion from others experience then I would get a minimum or 2 previous employment and 6 character references. Hope things go well for you and you have learnt from the mistakes you have made.
 
Well I have some experience working with th SIA in relation to doorstaff etc and I would be very surprised if you would be granted a license. The courts may of deemed them minor offences but the SIA doesn't as they were originally setup to 'clean up' the security industry and get rid of the bad press. However like it was mentioned earlier, you have done the course and cannot work without a license so it would be stupid to not at least even try, you won't know for definate until you apply.

I know it's not the answer you were looking for but chin up and have a go.
 
Pheonix I personally wouldn't bother applying as your convictions are not spent. Any suspended sentence of 6 months and longer is not spent for 10 years so i'd save your money as no matter how many references you get I can't see the SIA giving you a licence or any employer giving you a security job after what is a relatively short period of time.
 
helo mate did u get any luck with your sia as im going through the same thing at the moment and not long been out the army and itching to do cp but i ended up asulting a policeman and awaiting court can ant one help me is there any think i could do with out sia lisence or is there any company/country that sia not esentual
 
Again no chance of getting your SIA licence or employment in the security industry. I'd personally go to college learn to spell before you decide to apply for any vacancies for any job. Oh and are you an employer or employee, I think you may also need a dictionary to check on the definitions of these two words.
 
As many have stated the lack of professional and un-bias advice from your Training Provider got you off on the wrong foot from the start.

We would always advise that for minor offences at least 5yrs spent time and for more serious offences at least 10yrs spent time so that you had the best chance of not waisting money on Training before the likelihood of your licence being turned down and a further amount of money being waisted.

And yes i can hear many people thinking TPs would never give accurate advise if that meant loosing a bum on a seat, a professional TP should be able to give honest advice, sadly this industry is full of people who just want to get rich quick.

People often say who is the best TP etc, phone them up yourself have a list of questions for them (some set up purely for you to judge their honest approach) if you feel they have answered as honest as they could then they maybe the ones to look further into.

I would give it at least 5yrs spent time before applying for a licence but even then there would be no guarantees, personally my opinion 10yrs for possession with intent to supply, at least i hope so if the SIA are doing what they should be.

I would say tho that your honest approach is your biggest attribute so the very best of luck and if you need to wait then stay out the way of the law, you will then eventually and deservedly get your SIA badge.

Regards, STP.
 
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in effect, your sentence only ended in 2010, as your conviction in 2008 was suspended for 2 years. in effect, had you done something wrong on the last day of your suspension you would now be serving the sentence.

I personally would not wish to have anyone convicted of ant drug dealing offences working in the same vacinity as myself or others as i know and have seen for my self the death and destruction caused by drug dealers.

Pheonix, your drug dealing has caused missery to people be it parents, children relatives, freinds, victims of drug users crimes in an attempt to get monies to pay you and other drug dealing scum.

I wont beat about the bush, i wont flower it up, i feel that anyone convicted of dealing in drugs should be either locked up for life or be dealt with in the same way as a sick animal is dealt with by a vet.

Its no good saying you are sorry now, you certainly was not sorry when you were dealing and had you not been caught, you would probably still be dealing and could have cost the lives of a lot of young people.

Sorry straight to the point if you get a licence then the SIA should be closed down i know i wont have hurt your feelings as someone who deals in drugs wont have feelings
 
Phecta said:
in effect, your sentence only ended in 2010, as your conviction in 2008 was suspended for 2 years. in effect, had you done something wrong on the last day of your suspension you would now be serving the sentence.

I personally would not wish to have anyone convicted of ant drug dealing offences working in the same vacinity as myself or others as i know and have seen for my self the death and destruction caused by drug dealers.

Pheonix, your drug dealing has caused missery to people be it parents, children relatives, freinds, victims of drug users crimes in an attempt to get monies to pay you and other drug dealing scum.

I wont beat about the bush, i wont flower it up, i feel that anyone convicted of dealing in drugs should be either locked up for life or be dealt with in the same way as a sick animal is dealt with by a vet.

Its no good saying you are sorry now, you certainly was not sorry when you were dealing and had you not been caught, you would probably still be dealing and could have cost the lives of a lot of young people.

Sorry straight to the point if you get a licence then the SIA should be closed down i know i wont have hurt your feelings as someone who deals in drugs wont have feelings
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Maybe you should read my OP. I purchased the drugs for friends who had asked me to get them some because I knew someone who sold them. In the eyes of the law, I was a drug dealer so have learnt my lesson. I have never and would never supply to anybody else, I did not earn any profit, I have not used any drug since and never will again......yet in your eyes I should be 'put down'.

I can only hope you never make a silly mistake such as I made. I am learning from and suffering for the ones I have made, but it will eventually make me a better person. I suggest you learn forgiveness and tolerance as surely both of these are prerequisite requirements of people who wish to work in the Security Industry.

I would suggest a career where your petty-mindedness, aloofness and intolerance to others' mistakes are more acceptable.

To all others who gave valued, considered and relevant opinions...thank you, you have all helped me to understand what I need to do next.
 
Sorry, had to add this as I've only just seen your employment record.

Director of Training ,Pre- Hospital Emergency Care Training Agency , State Registered Paramedic

WOW!!!!!......You are really suited to working in those positions aren't you???? I wonder if any of your 'tutors' come out with opinions like yours during classes and how long your 'agency' would last if they did.

Please let me know the name of the 'agency' ..maybe others should be made aware of your draconian opinions of what should happen to those needing and asking for some help for their peers.
 
Unemployed and looking for work ?
...asking for advice in here...

When somebody that's been around the block a few times gives advice, LISTEN to it, it may not be what you want to hear, reality hurts !

I know a few ex cons, some more 'reformed' than others, and most are great blokes I'd happily share a beer with.

But employ them, in MY industry ? Exactly how much credibility would I have left next time something went pear shaped ?

They know better than to even ask for a character reference !
 
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