Glasgow taxi driver's licence renewed after punching passenger
John Colrain was found guilty of assault to injury earlier this month and fined £250 as a result following an incident in 2018.
A Glasgow taxi driver who punched a passenger when he refused to pay the full fare had his licence renewed by councillors on Thursday.
John Colrain was found guilty of assault to injury earlier this month and fined £250 as a result following an incident in 2018.
Mr Colrain was taking a man from Shawlands to Darnley. When the passenger refused to pay the full fare, Mr Colrain got out his taxi to challenge the man but then attacked him.
Mr Colrain was brought before the licensing committee to explain his actions.
He said: “The man told me I had taken the wrong route. When I told him the fare was £10.80 he threw a fiver at me and left the taxi.
“I was very angry and followed him. He pushed me in an aggressive manner and when he came for me again I put one in his chin.
“I didn’t press charges at the time because the police didn’t advise me to do that.”
Councillors then asked for assurances this type of behaviour would bot be repeated.
Councillor Alex Wilson said: “This was the wrong course of action. You need to be able to get from A to B without assaulting a passenger.
“How can you convince us you are a fit and proper person and are not going to get into any more altercations.”
Mr Colrain replied: “I am not violent and I regret my actions. I felt threatened and still believe I was acting in self-defence. I have been a taxi driver for 25 years.”
Mr Colrain was then asked if he had anger management issues which he denied.
He continued: “I hope I don’t repeat this as it is not who I am. I don’t like behaving in this way. If this were to happen again I would take them to the police station.”
Four Labour councillors agreed to grant Mr Colrain’s licence. Councillor Alex Wilson and councillor Robert Connelly voted to refuse it