Nidge2 wrote:
captain cab wrote:
Taxi applicant has knife record
A VALE man who has two convictions for knife possession was granted a taxi driver’s licence last week after council chiefs were convinced he had changed his ways.
Ross McKinney recently applied for a temporary licence and appeared before West Dunbartonshire Council’s licensing committee last Wednesday.
The committee heard that McKinney also has convictions for cannabis possession and for not wearing a seatbelt when driving — all of which he failed to declare on his taxi licence application form.
However, police officers informed the licensing committee that McKinney, of Strathleven Drive, was sentenced to community service in 2005 at Dumbarton Sheriff Court for carrying a knife.
A year later he was back at the same court for the same offence, aswell as a charge of possessing cannabis, and was ordered to carry out a further 100 hours of community service.
In December 2009 he was fined at Dumbarton’s Justice of the Peace Court for possession of cannabis and was fined again in May 2013 for not wearing a seatbelt in the car.
Police did not object to the taxi licence being granted, but made a representation so the committee were fully aware of McKinney’s past.
The applicant attended last week’s licensing committee with his uncle Paul Wishart, who spoke on his behalf.
Mr Wishart told licensing councillors that McKinney regretted committing the offences, the most serious of which occurred around 10 years ago when he was off the rails.
Mr Wishart added: “He had a period where he wasn’t a model citizen despite the best efforts of his mum and dad to get him on the straight and narrow. In the last two years he has gone to college to do an apprenticeship and is in the second year of a course to be a mechanic.
“He goes to college Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and he just needs a job that can fit round his studies.
“He is in a steady relationship now which has been a calming influence on him. He has also become an uncle for the second time and has taken responsibility for his niece and nephew.
“This is a chance for him to do something positive and make a difference and contribute to society.”
Licensing committee chairman, Councillor Lawrence O’Neill, told McKinney: “I’m minded to grant the licence, given what your uncle has said on your behalf.
“Take this opportunity that has been afforded to you.”
The temporary licence runs for six weeks before another application must be submitted.
- See more at: http://www.dumbartonreporter.co.uk/news ... yMZRn.dpuf
A VALE man who has two convictions for knife possession was granted a taxi driver’s licence last week after council chiefs were convinced he had changed his ways.
Ross McKinney recently applied for a temporary licence and appeared before West Dunbartonshire Council’s licensing committee last Wednesday.
The committee heard that McKinney also has convictions for cannabis possession and for not wearing a seatbelt when driving — all of which he failed to declare on his taxi licence application form.
However, police officers informed the licensing committee that McKinney, of Strathleven Drive, was sentenced to community service in 2005 at Dumbarton Sheriff Court for carrying a knife.
A year later he was back at the same court for the same offence, aswell as a charge of possessing cannabis, and was ordered to carry out a further 100 hours of community service.
In December 2009 he was fined at Dumbarton’s Justice of the Peace Court for possession of cannabis and was fined again in May 2013 for not wearing a seatbelt in the car.
Police did not object to the taxi licence being granted, but made a representation so the committee were fully aware of McKinney’s past.
The applicant attended last week’s licensing committee with his uncle Paul Wishart, who spoke on his behalf.
Mr Wishart told licensing councillors that McKinney regretted committing the offences, the most serious of which occurred around 10 years ago when he was off the rails.
Mr Wishart added: “He had a period where he wasn’t a model citizen despite the best efforts of his mum and dad to get him on the straight and narrow. In the last two years he has gone to college to do an apprenticeship and is in the second year of a course to be a mechanic.
“He goes to college Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and he just needs a job that can fit round his studies.
“He is in a steady relationship now which has been a calming influence on him. He has also become an uncle for the second time and has taken responsibility for his niece and nephew.
“This is a chance for him to do something positive and make a difference and contribute to society.”
Licensing committee chairman, Councillor Lawrence O’Neill, told McKinney: “I’m minded to grant the licence, given what your uncle has said on your behalf.
“Take this opportunity that has been afforded to you.”
The temporary licence runs for six weeks before another application must be submitted.
- See more at: http://www.dumbartonreporter.co.uk/news ... yMZRn.dpuf
I bet they don't give him another one after 6 weeks.
McKinney is a reformed character or so he claims and being a taxi driver is the bottom of the food chain, so why not give him the chance?
What's the worst this guy can do Oh and btw, this is Dumbarton...
