Taxi driver could lose licence for driving off before passenger inside

A taxi driver who drove off before his passenger was safely inside the vehicle has been warned he could lose his private hire car licence.

Shamim Elahi was convicted in March 2018 under the Road Traffic Act, fined £130 and had three penalty points put on his licence following the incident in 2017.

Mr Elhai had picked up two female passengers in Glasgow who were travelling to Glasgow Airport.

He was witnessed putting luggage in the boot of the car and driving off before one of the women was fully inside.

At this point Mr Elahi had not realised that the rear door was open or that the woman was not properly inside.

This caused the passenger door to collide with a vehicle which was parked nearby, causing the door to bounce back and hit the woman’s right hand and foot which was still outside.

She suffered bruising to her right foot, however did not attend hospital or her GP.

Mr Elahi was brought before the licensing committee on Wednesday morning where councillors were expected to decide whether or not he should keep his licence.

Police Scotland objected to his application on the grounds that he was not a fit and proper person. Mr Elahi then asked for his case to be continued so that his lawyer could attend the hearing and represent him.

He explained: “On September 1, my lawyer sent a letter to the licensing team asking for a deferral.

“He was unable to attend the meeting today due to other commitments but he wrote to you asking for a continuation.”

Committee members were unaware of any letter but agreed to the request.

The chairman, councillor Alex Wilson, said: “In terms of natural justice I think it is only fair that you are able to be represented by your lawyer.

“In that case I move that we continue this application until a later date and we can call you back at a later date when your lawyer is present.”

Councillors still need to decide if Mr Elahi’s licence should be renewed or if they will remove it. A decision will be made at a later date.

By local democracy reporter Catherine Hunter