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Adam Bannister is a contributor to IFSEC Global, having been in the role of Editor from 2014 through to November 2019. Adam also had stints as a journalist at cybersecurity publication, The Daily Swig, and as Managing Editor at Dynamis Online Media Group.
A convicted fraudster is now in charge of security at Old Trafford and possesses a full SIA licence despite his past transgression.
Accused of stealing £26,000 from his brother’s post office, Riyaz Patel from Blackburn, Lancashire was found guilty at Preston Crown Court of 29 counts of theft in 2000.
Patel now oversees a team of around 1,000 stewards at Manchester United’s home stadium.
That he secured an SIA licence will perhaps prompt some to question whether the association’s ‘criminality criteria’ threshold is set too low.
However, a Manchester United spokesperson told the Daily Mail: ‘He is employed by CES – not Manchester United – to look after people not money. It was a long time ago.”
Patel is actually directly employed by Controlled Events Solution, the company appointed by Manchester United to manage security at Old Trafford.
Patel was sentenced to 100 hours community service and ordered to repay £11,500 following his conviction.
A report in The Sun quoted Patel as saying: “I am not speaking to you. You’ll have to ring Manchester United’s press office.”
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Convicted Fraudster Heads Up Security at Old Trafford – and has an SIA LicenceA convicted fraudster is now in charge of security at Old Trafford and possesses a full SIA licence despite his past transgression.
Adam Bannister
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