Private Hire Driver has his licence suspended for allegedly grabbing a female passenger and brandish

A private hire driver in Glasgow has had his licence suspended after allegations of assault were made against him by a female passenger. 

The alleged assault occurred during a row with two female passengers over a fare.  

The man was suspended by Glasgow City Council licensing chiefs after a recommendation from Police Scotland’s Chief Constable Iain Livingstone and he is due to go on trial in August, according to a report in the Evening Times.  He has been charged with assault to injury, carrying an offensive weapon and wasting police time. The decision to suspend the man's licence came on advice from the police who told the licensing committee that they believed the man was “no longer a fit and proper person” to hold a private hire drivers’ licence as he could be deemed a “serious threat to public order or public safety”. 

The report claims that the alleged incident happened in March when the driver picked up two young females. The driver believed the two women had no intention of paying for the journey and grabbed one of their arms and told her he wouldn’t let go until he was paid. The police said the driver was also accused of brandishing a metal tyre wrench at the girls. The man was initially suspended for six weeks immediately after the allegation was made, but has had that suspension increased to cover the remaining duration of his current licence.  The alleged incident was filmed by one of the women and was watched by the licensing committee during the driver’s hearing. 

No comments were made by councillors on the committee as it's an ongoing case.

The driver is expected to appear in court in July, with his trial scheduled to begin in August. 

Image: Source; Flickr

Image: Author; Matthew Devalle