Where to start with this?
Maybe instead of his usual lecture, the chairman (er, sorry, convener), should be asking why the driver was granted a badge three years ago? And, presumably, why his history wasn't checked then, or at least there was some procedural flaw at some point back then?
And, in my opinion, to the extent he's had a licence for three years he should now be given the benefit of the doubt, although I wouldn't have granted it when he first applied if his history had been known.
Private hire driver's licence refused over criminal record including spitting on female customershttps://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/news/glas ... d-28198490Hamzeh Karimi had been working as a private hire driver in Glasgow but councillors decided to refuse his licence after discovering the criminal record.A former taxi driver has been refused a licence to work again as a private hire operator in Glasgow after his criminal record was found out.
Convictions included spitting on female customers and grabbing one by the wrist while he was a taxi driver in Newcastle.
Hamzeh Karimi was not granted a licence despite showing that he always hands in property left by customers in his vehicle in Glasgow.
Police Scotland objected to the 40-year-old's private hire application stating how he carried out an assault in Newcastle upon Tyne in 2014 leaving a person with a wound on the head.
A police inspector also stated that Mr Karimi spat on two female passengers and grabbed one by the wrist while on duty as a taxi driver the same year.
An agent told the city's licensing and regulatory committee today that Mr Karimi, originally from Iran, had lived in England for 11 years before moving to Glasgow in 2019.
He said his client always maintained his innocence and said he was a victim of racial attacks during the incidents in 2014 - and has had no convictions since.
He has already had a private hire licence for three years in Glasgow but the city's licensing committee heard today it had not been made aware of previous convictions before granting it.
Committee chair councillor Alex Wilson pointed out there had been no police objection when Mr Karimi was previously granted a licence in Glasgow during 2019. His private hire car licence has now expired.
Employers had submitted letters of support staying that Mr Karimi had displayed good conduct while working as a private hire driver in the city.
Councillors were also shown proof that he had handed in mobile phones and bank cards left in his vehicle to Police Scotland.
The agent pointed out if Mr Karimi doesn't get a licence it would have "devastating consequences".
Councillor Wilson said: "We are not here to hear about his financial situation. We are here to make sure public safety is number one."
Commenting on the claims that the incidents involved racial discrimination, Councillor Wilson said Mr Karimi should "not have reacted".
Referring to the fact that Mr Karimi has returned items passengers forgot in his car, Councillor Wilson said: "Just because he is not a thief does not mean he is someone who wouldn't commit assault."
Councillors refused the licence by four votes to two.
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