Private hire driver who ran over passenger’s foot after fare argument given licence

A private hire driver who ran over the foot of a passenger who ‘argued about the fare’ has been granted permission to work in Glasgow.

Licensing chiefs warned Naveed Ahmad about his future behaviour but agreed to give him a licence to operate in the city.

Police Scotland objected to his application due to his conviction, which the committee heard occurred while he was working in South Lanarkshire.

Mr Ahmad was previously suspended for one month over the incident, councillors were told.

The force argued he was “not a fit and proper person” to hold a licence, but the committee decided to grant one for a restricted period of one year rather than the three requested.

A police inspector said checks had shown the applicant had a previous conviction following an incident in July 2022. He added Mr Ahmad was fined £350 and given five points on his licence.

The committee heard the driver “did slowly drive back and run over the foot” of a passenger who had arrived at their destination.

A friend, speaking on behalf of Mr Ahmad, said the passenger had been arguing over the fare.

He claimed there had been two passengers and one “went to the pharmacy” while “the other one got out of the car and started arguing with him about the fare”.

The friend added when the man returned from the pharmacy, Mr Ahmad “got nervous” and moved the car, running over one of the passengers’ feet.

He said the passenger had refused to pay the fare and the incident had “happened by mistake”, adding: “He’s learned his lesson… and he will be very careful next time.”

The committee heard the driver had been working in Cambuslang and Rutherglen, in South Lanarkshire, but now wanted to drive in Glasgow.