Former prison officer convicted of domestic abuse granted taxi licence

A former prison officer who was convicted of domestic abuse has been granted a three-year taxi licence after telling councillors he had turned his life around.

Irvine man Darren McCartney appeared before North Ayrshire Licensing Committee on Wednesday.

Police Scotland read out a letter in which concerns were voiced about Mr McCartney’s previous convictions.

Sgt David Markham said some convictions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 were considered spent but exclusions and exceptions applied. They are considered offence that must be disclosed and disclosed subject to rules.

On January 19, 2024 at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court under the Domestic Abuse Scotland 2018 Act, the disposal was a community payback order supervision requirement of 18 months and unpaid work of 150 hours within 12 months and a non-harassment order for 18 months.

Between May 1 and July 15, 2023 at an address in Darvel and elsewhere, McCartney engaged in a course of behaviour which was abusive of a woman.

He videoed her, repeatedly made phone calls to her, shouted and acted aggressively, attended a home address uninvited and acted in an aggressive manner.

He also repeatedly sent text messages in which he uttered threats and was abusive, and attended at the home address and uttered threats of violence towards the victim.

He also had a previous conviction from November 8, 2023 for driving without insurance.

Mr McCartney said the circumstances surrounding the domestic abuse occured as a result of the breakdown of his relationship. He added: “I did not handle the situation very well.

“I received punishment in court and social work and passed through with flying colours. I completed my unpaid work.

“My career as a prison officer fell apart at the same time and i’ve been trying to get to work and have been offered work for various taxis.

“I am no danger to the public and have worked with them for a long period of my life. I was a hostage negotiator have good inter-personal skills.

“I put the conviction down to a bad period in my life – I lost my career as a prison officer and my marriage. I have served my punishment and put my hands to what I did wrong. I did not handle the situation well and have learned through working with social work different ways to handle potentially aggressive or challenging situations.

“I have moved on, have a new partner and am happily settled. I am trying to get back into work and I want this to be my final job. I have done courier work for Phoenix Taxis and hospital work and have enjoyed it. Phoenix have asked if I want to get my taxi badge and work on the rank.

“As regards the six points for driving without insurance that was part of the same period of time. I was driving for six months without insurance before I was stopped, I thought the direct debit was being paid but it wasn’t.

“I am in a much better place and moved back to Irvine where I was born and bred, I am looking to get back to work and have a child I want to provide for as I have for most of my life.”

Cllr Christina Larsen said: “We have high expectations of our taxi drivers and we have to take this seriously because of the charges and your behaviour at the time.

“I appreciate you have been very open with what is going on in your life at the time and none of us are going through life without issues. It is how we deal with those issues.

“We hope that should you come across any issues we hope you deal with then a lot better because our priority is the safety of our residents using taxis. I appreciate you have given reasons and you are sorry for what happened.”

Cllr Ronnie Stalker moved to grant the licence and this was seconded by cllr Larsen and unanimously agreed by the committee.