The former owner of an entertainment and model agency has today been banned from running an employment agency in Northern Ireland until December 2020, according to a statement from the Department of Employment and Learning.

The case was heard at Belfast’s Industrial Tribunal and follows a successful application by the Employment Agency Inspectorate (EAI), which is part of the employment and learning agency.

Dr Stephen Farry, Minister for Employment and Learning, welcomed the Tribunal’s decision, saying: “The modelling and entertainment sector in Northern Ireland is an area where you will find young, vulnerable workers who are open to potential exploitation. The Department, however, through its Employment Agency Inspectorate, will continue to do everything in its power to ensure adequate protections are in place for such vulnerable workers.”

The Tribunal heard how Glyn Davies and residing in the Portadown area, was convicted on 18 September 2009 at Edinburgh High Court of indecent assault against a 17 year old girl and of taking pornographic photographs of her. He was also convicted of offences arising out of the discovery of paedophiliac images and videos on his computers. Davies was sentenced to a total of two years’ imprisonment for these offences. He was placed on the Sex Offenders Register and Disqualified from Working with Children List for indefinite periods.

Davies had operated as an entertainment agency in Scotland for roughly 20 years and traded with his wife Susan Davies as Lothian Variety, and more recently as Emkay Lothian Entertainments. The Department for Employment and Learning’s Employment Agency Inspectorate was made aware that Davies had moved from Scotland to Northern Ireland and brought the prohibition proceedings to prevent him from operating in his former profession to protect potential clients.

The Tribunal accepted that Susan Davies, also residing in the Portadown area, was not involved in the conduct leading to her husband’s conviction and prohibition. The Tribunal then made a separate prohibition order, with conditions, against Mrs Davies, for almost 10 years. This order prevents Mrs Davies from running an employment agency until December 2020, unless Glyn Davies is prevented from having access to premises or contact with persons using an employing agency that his wife might operate. This order was made to protect clients and prospective clients, the statement said.