Taxi driver loses licence for violence against ex-partner

James Strachan did not show to Glasgow City Council’s licensing committee last week.

Taxi driver loses licence for violence against ex-partner iStock

A cab driver who threatened and attacked his ex-partner and falsely claimed that his parents had died to obtain money from her has lost his licence. 

In July this year, James Strachan was convicted for being in possession of a knife between December 1, 2019, and September 3, 2020, as well as domestic abuse. 

Strachan was handed a Community Payback Order with 150 hours of unpaid work.

He was also tagged and was issued a non-harassment order for five years which prevents him from approaching, contacting or communicating with his ex-partner in any way.

Strachan was invited to attend Glasgow City Council’s licensing committee last week as his private hire car driver’s licence was up for renewal, but he failed to show.

A spokeswoman for Police Scotland explained that the applicant engaged in a course of behaviour which was abusive to his ex-partner, where he repeatedly phoned, text and asked to rekindle their relationship.

He repeatedly attended at her home uninvited and refused to desist. He also turned up at the home address of family members and demanded money from her. 

Strachan would then show up on the woman’s street and stare in through the windows, threaten to self-harm and falsely claimed that his parents had passed away to persuade her to provide him with money.

He also pursued her, punched her on the head and threw her to the ground. 

Police Scotland also claimed Strachan shouted and made threats towards a person, destroyed property belonging to another and did on two occasions puncture the tyres of a car with a knife. 

During the meeting officers did not say if this was a different individual and members of the committee did not ask any questions about these incidents. 

Following the objection from police, councillors refused to renew Strachan’s licence.

By local democracy reporter Catherine Hunter

STV News is now on WhatsApp

Get all the latest news from around the country

Follow STV News
Follow STV News on WhatsApp

Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country

WhatsApp channel QR Code