Taxi Driver Online

Taxi driver granted licence despite hitting wife over a takeaway on night out

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/1630 ... night_out/

A MAN who hit his wife on the head after falling out about a what takeaway to go to has been given a taxi licence.

John Hynd appeared before the Licensing Committee on Thursday to face questions from councillors.

He was up for renewing his three-year taxi driver licence but had been flagged by Police Scotland for the incident.

Councillors were told how a 2016 drunken night out in the West End led the man being charged and eventually admonished.

The Glasgow man broke down in tears in the licensing court as he explained his side of the story.

“We had basically fallen out and had too much to drink that day,” said the father-of-one, “I have so much remorse for what I done.”

On September 10, 2016, Mr Hynds and his wife were out with friends in the West End enjoying some drinks.

When the pals left the couple wanted to get something to eat.

However, an argument broke out about where to go.

Michael McDougall, a solicitor representing Mr Hynd, said: “Matters escalated and Mrs Hynd grabbed his jacket, he then struck and pushed her, which resulted in her falling to the ground.”

His partner is understood to have received no injuries.

The incident ended up going to court and he was admonished in May 2017.

“It is important to remember Mr Hynd has been driving a taxi for 14 years and this is the first time he has broken his licence.

“He works 40-hours a week and my submission is the conduct was out of character for my client.”

The pair have not let the incident come between them as Mr Hynds told the court they are due to tie the knot soon.

Otherwise, he has had an unblemished taxi career since starting out 14 years ago.

Councillor Alex Wilson, convener of the committee, said: “This doesn’t get away from the fact you did strike a female on the face, which doesn’t look good.

“I know there would have been some circumstances, but there are never circumstances where you hit a female.

“It is something I take a very dim view of.”

However, he was granted permission to continue as a taxi driver with a severe warning from the committee.