Private hire driver suspended for sexual comments to teen

A private hire driver who made sexual comments to a 17-year-old girl has been suspended.

Police Scotland argued Alexander Roberts was “no longer a fit and proper person to hold a licence” after he was found guilty earlier this month.

The driver made comments about his passenger’s breasts and “made reference” to her “having sex with him or carrying out sexual acts on him”, a police representative said.

Glasgow City Council’s licensing committee ruled Robert’s licence should be suspended for the unexpired portion of its duration. It had been due to run until September next year.

He had been suspended with immediate effect in August following a complaint from Police Scotland.

The incident occurred in June when Roberts agreed to take the girl to Drumchapel.

The police representative said: “During the journey, it is alleged that Mr Roberts intentionally and for purposes of obtaining sexual gratification or humiliating, distressing or alarming the female passenger, directed sexual, verbal communication at her, without her consent.”

Roberts was cautioned and charged in July and appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court on December 4.

He was found guilty, fined £250 and ordered to pay £250 in compensation. He was also added to the Sexual Offenders’ Register.

Councillor Alex Wilson, who chairs the licensing committee, said he was a “bit dismayed” when he heard Roberts’ sentence.

“I would like to think that our passengers are safe when they enter into a private hire or taxi on a regular basis,” he said

“I would like to think that there is a message sent out that anyone who gets into a vehicle should be safe and should not be subject to this.”

By local democracy reporter Drew Sandelands