Taxi licence granted despite Shawlands nightclub altercation

A man who bit another man’s ear in a Shawlands nightclub five years ago has been granted a cab driver’s licence.

Craig Paterson got involved in an altercation which led to a fight at the Shed in 2013.

Paterson bit his victim’s ear which then required stitches to his ear, left eye and eyebrow.

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In 2015 Paterson was ordered to carry out 270 hours unpaid work within six months. He was brought before the licensing committee on Thursday afternoon to explain himself.

He said: “At the time I pleaded guilty to the charge. My then girlfriend was pregnant and was about to give birth. I was provoked as this guy started to give me grief and it led to a fight.

“I don’t have any anger management issues.”

Mr Paterson was then advised by councillors some the demands of the job.

Councillor Alex Wilson said: “If you are driving members of the public you will be provoked, taunted, some people will try and do a runner and not pay.

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“They will be under the influence of alcohol and drugs. How will you cope with that?”

Paterson responded: “I am a totally different person. I have completed a customer care course and I understand how to deal with people under the influence of drink and drugs.

“This was a one-off incident that got out of hand.”

Members were then made aware that Mr Paterson had three penalty points on his licence for driving while using a mobile phone.

He said: “I have grown up a lot since these incidents. I am a man now. I have experience of driving at work and worked in McDonald’s for nine years. If I was ever provoked again I would just walk away.”

Following the discussion the majority of councillors agreed to grant the licence for one year and issued a severe warning.

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