Taxi Driver Online

Evening Times (Glasgow)

January 19, 2007

HEADLINE: Man hit wife with belt over prayer fears;

Husband denied taxi licence after assault in house

Mumtaz Ahmed said he had made a mistake

A MAN beat his wife and an eight-year-old girl with a belt because he was worried they would be late for prayers. Mumtaz Ahmed flew into a rage because he thought the child was taking too long in the bathroom. When his wife tried to protect the girl, Mr Ahmed punched the woman in the head and hit her with the belt.

The incident came back to haunt the 38-year-old when he applied for a private hire taxi licence from Glasgow City Council.

Mr Ahmed, of Coatbridge, Lanarkshire, had his request turned down by councillors yesterday after an objection from Strathclyde Police. Chief Inspector Stuart Neill said the incident happened at Mr Ahmed's home in Drummore Avenue.

The committee heard the girl was getting ready to leave the house but Mr Ahmed became angry and began shouting. Mr Neill said: "The child opened the door and he struck her with the belt. His wife tried to interject and she too was struck with the belt."

The committee was also told Mr Ahmed punched his wife in the head during the incident in April last year. He was convicted of assault at Airdrie Sheriff Court on December 20 and admonished.

MrAhmed first appeared before the licensing committee in November, when, councillors continued the application to allow Mr Ahmed time to find legal representation.

However Mr Ahmed did not hire a lawyer and yesterday committee members asked him again to explain why he assaulted the woman and child, and to convince them he was a fit and proper person to drive a private hire car.

Councillor Malcolm [edited by admin] said: "Back in November you said this was just a 'wee mistake'. But there's a huge difference between the events given and a wee mistake.

"I'm not certain you appreciate how serious this is."

Mr Ahmed, who said he was unemployed, said he had been worried about being late for prayers and wouldn't make the same mistake again.

But councillors decided Mr Ahmed was not a fit and proper person to hold a private hire licence.
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