Glasgow man who failed to list drugs conviction gets private hire licence

A man who failed to list a drugs conviction on his bid to drive a private hire has been granted a licence but issued with a “severe warning”.

Glasgow’s licensing committee decided to give Saad Raja a restricted one-year licence, despite an objection from Police Scotland.

Mr Raja said he had “changed” and is “genuinely regretful” for his actions.

A police representative told councillors how “routine checks” showed Mr Raja had a previous conviction which wasn’t displayed on his application form.

Officers had discovered “various items of drug paraphernalia” and over £6,000 in cash during a search of his home in 2015, the committee heard.

The police officer said 143g of cannabis had been found. The applicant was fined almost £500 and issued a confiscation order of around £2,000, she added.

Councillors also heard how an application from Mr Raja for a private hire licence had previously been rejected in 2019.

Mr Raja said he did not declare the conviction as he did not “have specific dates”. “If I knew the exact dates then I would have,” he said.

The applicant said the incident happened “eight years ago” and he is now “shameful for my actions, genuinely regretful”.

“Since then I’ve changed, I’ve changed my environment. I’m no longer involved with cannabis or any drugs at all.”

He said he is married now and planning to work for Uber, who he already has a delivery job with.

Councillor Alex Wilson, who chairs the licensing committee, said: “Do you think this committee should take a chance on you?”

Mr Raja responded: “Of course, people change. Everyone should get another chance.”