Man granted minicab licence despite a previous conviction of assault on a woman

A man who assaulted a woman outside a bar has been granted a private hire licence to operate in Glasgow for one year. Navjot Singh Gosal was fined £200 for breach of the peace in August 2016 when he and two women left a bar to go to a flat together. According to a report in the Evening Times, one of the women phoned for a cab. When the vehicle arrived and she left the building, Mr Gosal assaulted her. The other woman tried to intervene. When applying for a private hire licence, Gosal failed to disclose the offence and was called before Glasgow City Council’s licensing board to explain.

He said: “My friend and I were walking along the Main Street. Some other people started to try fight with us. “I have had my driver’s licence for 11 years and want to become a cab driver so I can support my family. I need more flexible working hours. “I have been working in construction since 2010 and that involves a lot of driving. I never had any problems with the law before that or after.” Councillor Alex Wilson asked: “If someone in your taxi was bit loud and started shouting at you how would you react? “I also want to know why you did not notify the board of this conviction in your application. In the sections that asks about any convictions you have written not applicable.” Mr Gosal reply was: “I would keep calm and not raise my voice. I did not know being charged for breach of the peace meant I had been convicted.” Out of nine councillors, five voted to grant Gosal a one year licence along with a warning. The other four councillors wanted his application denied but were overruled.

Image: Source; Wikimedia Commons

Author; Eysteinn Gudni Gudnason