Marius Serban pleaded guilty at Highbury Magistrates Court on 30 September 2026 to two offences under section 3 of the Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981, knowingly using a false instrument, according to a Security Industry Authority press release published on 15 October 2026. He was fined £180 per offence and ordered to pay a £144 victim surcharge and £400 in prosecution costs, totalling £904.

The SIA said Mr Serban applied for a licence in October 2025 and, during an appeal against a potential refusal due to a previous conviction, was asked for two character references. One purported to be from a former employer where he had never worked; the other claimed to be from a doctor, but no doctor with that name was registered with the General Medical Council. The SIA said both references were forged.

Tara Moutray, SIA Criminal Investigations Manager, said she was glad the forgery resulted in conviction and an order to pay almost £1,000, adding that the SIA is committed to stopping dishonest licence applications and prosecuting where appropriate.