Came across another recent Glasgow article by accident while looking at something else.
Not particularly interesting stuff about the cannabis farm, but what's maybe more noteworthy is the councillors' remarks about the driver's knowledge and about renting a car in view of the PHV cap.
I mean, whenever has a driver's geographical knowledge been of relevance if he's passed all the relevant exams, and what's this stuff about renting a car...whenever have badge applicants in capped areas been quizzed about that kind of thing
Man who attempted to take helm of cannabis farm in appeal for Glasgow private hire licensehttps://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/186 ... nt-appeal/A POLISH man who tried to take over a cannabis cultivation for a laugh has been denied a Glasgow private hire driver’s licence.Hubert Najman appeared in front of the City Council’s licensing committee via Microsoft Teams on Wednesday to explain his version of events which took place in 2017.
Mr Najman said that he had his friends had they had discovered the plants by accident
He said: “As we were rowing along the river, we could smell cannabis.
“So, we followed the scent and found a cultivation. What we didn’t know is that the police had already discovered the plant earlier and already installed CCTV cameras.
“We had decided to take over the cultivation and a few weeks later we went back to see it and that’s when we were detained and arrested.
“The cultivation was not set up by us, we were not charged with that, but because we had intended to take it over we were charged. This was one conviction.
“I now know this was a stupid idea.”
Chairman councillor Alex Wilson pointed out that the amount of cannabis discovered was described in a report as insignificant.
He said: “It does say in the paperwork that the sentence was suspended because the amount of marijuana was negligible and that you have never been in trouble with the law before.
“I take it you have never had any problems previously; you have never been to court or had any trouble with the police?”
Mr Najman replied: “No I have not had any problems before this and it was just this one issue.”
The applicant was also asked when he planned to return to Scotland.
He told the committee: “Because of coronavirus, I have been stuck in Poland. We were visiting and the virus happened.
“Right now, I am on vacation and I plan to return to Scotland after I finish my holiday in nine days. I moved to Scotland last October/November and applied for a licence.”
Councillor Alexander Belic said: “If you are a taxi driver in Glasgow, do you know the streets, do you know the difference between Parkhead and Partick? It doesn’t seem you would have had a long enough time to learn the layout of the city.”
Mr Najman told the committee that he did know some streets in the city.
Councillor Elspeth Kerr raised concerns about his convictions.
She said: “This was very illegal and what you should have done was report it. It is the same situation across here, cannabis is not legal.”
Councillors Hanif Raja and Rhiannon Spear also informed Mr Najman that there was a limit on the number of cars that could be licensed as private hire cars and that he would have to car share with someone who already had a licence.
Ms Spear said: “Glasgow has put a limit on how many cars we will licence. Even if you rent a car that meets are requirements, the likelihood is, given the restrictions on taxi licenses, be able to licence the car.
“The only option to you there would be a car share or rent an already licensed car. Have you had conversations with friends in Glasgow about specific licensed cars or is it your plan to try and licence another vehicle?”
Mr Najman said he was not aware of the limit but he would call friends to arrange a car share. It was also pointed out that once awarded a licence, Mr Najman would have to use it within three months or hand it back to the committee.
Following the discussion members agreed to refuse the application.
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