Taxi licence bid blocked after assault, drugs and drink‑drive convictions cited

A taxi licence bid has been blocked after councillors heard the applicant had been involved in assault, drug and drink‑driving offences.

Thomas Duncan’s request had to be considered by Fife Council’s regulations and licensing committee because Police Scotland had lodged a representation.

He did not appear at the hearing and his criminal record counted against him – he also had a drink-driving conviction – with members deciding he was not “a fit and proper person” to drive a taxi.

Sergeant Neil Ewing, of Police Scotland, told the committee: “There are three seperate offences here.

“The first one being a type of domestic assault where he assaulted his ex-partner’s new boyfriend and was found guilty.

“The second offence was misuse of drugs where he has been found in a vehicle with some herbal cannabis.

“They had then done a search of his home address where they found a mobile phone, scales and cash and he was found guilty at Edinburgh Sheriff Court in 2018 for supply of a controlled drug.

“The last offence is a vehicle collision that took place in Windygates in 2022.”

Sgt Ewing said Duncan was found to be around three and a half times over the legal limit with a reading of 77 microgrammes of alcohol in 100ml of breath.

The legal limit is 22 microgrammes of alcohol in 100ml of breath.

He added: “As a result of the road, drugs and assault offences, we do not believe is he a fit and proper person.”

Councillor Lea McLelland moved that the application be refused.

“He is not a fit and proper person,” she said. “I agree with the police.”

The committee unanimously agreed that the licence application be turned down.