Taxi Driver Online

Remember that this was the same committee jumping up and down because a driver was wearing a Rangers top

Anyway, applicant here makes it sound like just a few friends taking drugs...but he got 16 months for it...


Man given Ayrshire taxi licence after ditching drug habit and transforming life

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/ayrshire/ ... e-35736606

“It was 14 years ago - I was at parties taking cocaine."

A taxi licence was granted to a man who had a previous drugs conviction dating back more than a decade after he told North Ayrshire Licensing Committee he had turned his life around.

John Welsh made the application but Police Scotland voiced concern that he had not declared a previous conviction.

Police told the committee that when Mr Welsh’s application was processed, it was discovered he had a previous conviction which had not been declared.

The conviction would normally be considered spent. However, it was fully assessed and described as an offence which must always be disclosed or disclosed subject to rules.

In July 2011, Mr Welsh was convicted of the supply of a controlled drug, namely cocaine and at a sheriff and jury trial in Kilmarnock, he was sentenced to 16 months in imprisonment.

Due to the passage of time the court were unable to provide paperwork.

Mr Welsh told the committee: “It was 14 years ago - I was at parties taking cocaine.

"It was the norm at the time for myself and my friends. I was caught and given a jail sentence. But I have never been in trouble with the police since.

“I apologise for not declaring it (the offence) but that was because I thought I didn't have to. I have worked with East Ayrshire Council for six years on a bin lorry and am now with Bensons Beds."

Cllr Ronnie Stalker proposed to grant the application and this was seconded by cllr Nairn McDonald and agreed by the committee.