A MAN has been fined over the attempted use of a counterfeit security licence at the Isle of Wight Festival.

Ratu Epeli Nagundanvouivuda Baleidraulu, 38, of Coxhill Way, Aylesbury, admitted two charges at Milton Keynes Magistrates' Court.

The prosecution was brought by the Security Industry Authority (SIA) and it follows an investigation into the attempted use of a counterfeit licence at the Isle of Wight Festival.

The festival, which took place between September 16 to 19, 2021, and its lead security contractor, Main Event Security Services, an SIA approved contractor, used several contractors to supply additional security.

Checks were carried out to ensure the security operatives deployed were legally allowed to work at the festival.

During this process they discovered a counterfeit licence. The licence was valid but did not belong to the man attempting to use it.

The case was referred to the SIA’s criminal investigation team, who confirmed that Baleidraulu's company, Islanders Protection Security Services, were responsible for the deployment of the unknown man carrying the counterfeit licence.

Baleidraulu then failed to provide the required information to the SIA when requested and a prosecution was brought against both him and his company.

The person who held the legitimate licence confirmed that he had not worked at the Isle of Wight Festival.

Mark Chapman, the SIA’s criminal investigations manager, said: "The protection of the public at high profile festivals is paramount.

"Main Event Security Services did exactly as would be expected of an approved contractor, by identifying and rejecting a suspicious licence through robust due diligence.

"Islander Security placed the public at risk by supplying a person who was not fit and proper and had not done the requisite training to protect the public."

Baleidraulu was fined £300, ordered to pay £1,624 court costs and a victim surcharge of £34. The company was also fined £250, ordered to pay £800 court costs and another victim surcharge of £34.