Glasgow councillors allow private hire driver convicted of domestic abuse to keep licence

A Glasgow private hire driver who was convicted of domestic abuse has been warned by licensing chiefs but can continue working in the city.

Police Scotland objected to Patrick Traynor’s bid to renew his private hire car driver’s licence due to the offence.

Licensing chiefs decided to grant him a restricted one-year extension, rather than the three years he had requested.

A police officer said the applicant had been sentenced in August 2023 to 240 hours unpaid work over the incident, which involved his ex-partner.

She also said he had been ordered to refrain from approaching, contacting or communicating with the person for four years.

Archie MacIver, the licensing lawyer representing Mr Traynor, said his client had been working as a private hire driver since 1998 and had an “unblemished” driving record.

He told councillors that the applicant had been in a relationship with his ex-partner for over 20 years but it had become “difficult”.

The committee heard how “voices were raised” during an argument and, Mr MacIver said, that “was heard, as I understand it, by a neighbour” who was “concerned about what they were hearing”.

He said Mr Traynor “ended up charged and ultimately convicted of the offences that are before you”. Mr MacIver added: “My understanding is there was no physical violence involved in this incident.

“That said, it is not something which Mr Traynor is particularly proud of. He’s deeply ashamed, deeply remorseful.”

The committee was also told how the pair had now separated and the applicant had completed his unpaid work requirement.

Councillors were split on whether to approve the licence, voting three to two in favour of granting a one-year extension.

Cllr Jill Pidgeon, Labour, and Bailie Leòdhas Massie, Greens, suggested the application should be refused.

However, Cllr Sean Ferguson, SNP, Bailie Hanif Raja, Labour, and Cllr Abdul Bostani, SNP, voted to grant for a restricted period of one year and issued a severe warning.