This is the Record's version, for what it's worth. Not a whole lot different, but some slightly different nuances.
Of course, it's a
not proven verdict rather than
not guilty, so although it's an acquittal, it's not quite such a strong acquittal as not guilty.
So to that extent more likely to be deemed not fit and proper by the licensing committee than if he'd been found not guilty. And of course, even if it had been not guilty, nothing to stop licensing councillors deeming him not fit and proper
Taxi driver cleared of molesting intoxicated East Kilbride teen in his cabhttps://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/in-your-a ... d-27703258Tony Lennon, 56, was accused of taking advantage of the 18-year-old female passenger.A taxi driver has been cleared of molesting a female passenger as he drove her home in East Kilbride.
Tony Lennon was accused of taking advantage of the drunk 18-year-old in his cab.
But a jury returned a not proven verdict following a week-long trial at Hamilton Sheriff Court.
Lennon, 56, of Parkhead, Glasgow, said 'thank you' as Sheriff Colin Dunipace told him he'd been acquitted and was free to leave.
He insisted the female had consented to sexual activity in his taxi on May 22, 2019.
Lennon said she had "come on to him" after being "rejected" by a man during a night out.
He stated: "I'd never done anything like this before.
"It was wrong and I apologise. It should never have happened. It was a foolish thing to do."
Lennon said the woman was "definitely lying" when she told the jury she had not consented.
But prosecutor Neil Thomson said Lennon was the one who had "lied and lied" after taking advantage of his drunk passenger as he drove her home.
Mr Thomson asked the jury: "Would an 18-year-old girl find a man in his 50s who is grey haired and, perhaps tubby, particularly attractive?
"This is a desperate man with a desperate story, trying to save his own neck."
The jury deliberated for around an hour before returning a majority not proven verdict.