Private hire licence granted to man who stole bank card in Glasgow

A man who stole a bank card while selling windows was granted a private hire drivers licence on Wednesday to work in Glasgow.

Mohsin Ahmed was caught on CCTV swiping the card at a home in Grangemouth in 2020 after making an excuse that he’d left his tape measure upstairs.

The 24-year-old told the city’s licensing and regulatory committee on Wednesday that he took the card because he had no money to pay for a bus home and said he would never claim benefits.

He was tagged for the crime but broke his restriction of liberty order and was fined £500 and subjected to another order.

Pointing out he had been going through difficulties at the time, he told today’s committee: “I have tried to reform since then.”

Committee chair SNP councillor Alex Wilson said: “There is no excuse. It was premeditated. You had an excuse to go into the home. You planned it.”

Mr Ahmed replied: “I thought it was a way out,” and explained he had “no money for the bus fare to get home”.

Councillor Wilson asked why he was not claiming benefits at the time considering he was penniless. Explaining he prefers to work, Mr Ahmed replied: “I would never claim benefits in my life.”

Councillors on the committee granted him a private hire drivers’ licence to transport passengers in the city – but it is restricted to one year. They also issued a warning regarding his future conduct.

Police Scotland had objected to his application saying he was not a fit and proper person to hold a licence.