A Moray man has been granted a taxi driver licence to help provide for his children – despite a “disturbing” record of road offences.
Jay Lucas yesterday pleaded with Moray Council’s licensing committee to permit him to take on part-time work with a Forres cab firm.
During the hearing, he argued that wages from the weekend employment would help provide essentials for his children while he studied at Moray College.
However, police officers listed a string of driving offences and urged councillors to carefully consider the request.
Sergeant Gavin Jardine detailed offences stretching back nine years, including one occasion where Lucas almost drove into a pedestrian on Forres High Street.
Sgt Jardine said: “In 2008, Lucas was convicted of speeding at 85mph in a 60mph zone.
“The following year, he was convicted on a breach of the peace charge and fined £240, but that was related to a road traffic offence.
“He was driving at excessive speed on Forres High Street and a pedestrian had to take evasive action to avoid a collision.”
Councillors heard that Lucas had applied for a taxi driver’s licence in 2010 but it was refused based on his record.
And Sgt Jardine added the applicant had also been snared by police on a careless driving charge in February 2014.
He said: “Police accused him of overtaking and driving recklessly on the A96 Aberdeen to Inverness road, in excess of the speed limit.
“Lucas allegedly tailgated another vehicle in an aggressive manner.”
When questioned by police, Lucas said he was late for a dental appointment in Aberdeen.
The charges were never brought to court, but Sgt Jardine argued it was “important” that councillors were informed of them.
Lucas said he “deeply regretted” his previous misdemeanours.
He added: “I just want to support my six kids, and having a licence would be a great help to me.”
Heldon and Laich councillor, Ryan Edwards, said the police report was “disturbing”.
However, the owner of Forres’s Spot On Cabs, Steven Duncan, confirmed that he was willing to employ Lucas.
Mr Duncan added: “He is a family man, and more settled than he was three years ago.”
Councillors unanimously agreed to grant Lucas a three-year licence to work as a taxi driver.