Police Scotland initially objected to the application due to the offences.
The applicant had been caught for a string of offences.(Image: Getty Images)
A man who was caught twice with cannabis and a knife in his car has been allowed to work as a private hire driver after he begged for a second chance.
Police Scotland initially objected to Jerin Benny’s application due to his criminal record, but councillors in Glasgow decided to grant a reduced licence for one year.
The council’s licensing committee heard yesterday how he had been fined £760 after the drugs were found in his car in November 2020, Glasgow Live reports.
Police officers passing his vehicle noticed a “strong smell of cannabis”, with a search revealing “a total of 56.3g of cannabis… with a street value of £310”.
In November 2021, a lockback knife was discovered in his car, after officers pulled him over for driving without any lights on. He was handed 108 hours of unpaid work.
Cannabis was again found in Mr Benny’s car in January 2023 after officers “detected a strong smell of cannabis”. A search turned up a “total of 144.38g of cannabis, with a street value of £820 within multiple bags”.
A lockback knife with a 1.5 inch blade was found in the glove box. He was given a restriction of liberty order for 135 days and ordered to stay in his house between 7pm and 7am.
He also received three penalty points on his driving licence for “careless and inconsiderate driving” in August 2024, officers added.
Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.
You’ll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.
All you have to do is click here if you’re on mobile, select ‘Join Community’ and you’re in!
If you’re on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click ‘Join Community’.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like.
To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose ‘exit group’.
If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Ferial El Ayeb, advocating for Mr Benny, suggested young men should be “given a second chance, when they have shown clear evidence of wanting to do better and change their life.”
Ms El Ayeb, who said her firm Liberty Consultancy works closely with Mr Benny’s legal representatives, Aamer Anwar & Co, told councillors she had known him for over a decade.
She said her company supports young people starting their own businesses, adding: “I’ve seen over 100 young people with previous convictions change their life, completely turn it around.”
She said of Mr Benny: “His relationship with his family is better, he has moved back in. He has plans to open up a food van. He is looking to save up money to then apply for a licence from the council.
“To me that shows that he is focused on changing his life, creating a better future, as well as staying away from what’s not good for him.”
He plans to put the income from working as a private hire driver into his business, she added. She also told councillors the knife had been “the tiniest little blade” which the his father, who owns a catering company, had used to open up boxes.
She said Mr Benny accepted he should have checked the car, which was used by the whole family. Mr Benny said: “I’m back with a good crowd, I’ve moved in with my family. I want to make them proud.”
He admitted he was “not going through a great time” at the time of his offences. Councillors issued him with a severe warning over his future conduct.