Man who pinned his ex-partner down by the throat has been refused a cab licence

Gerald Haggarty carried out the assault at a Kirkintilloch social club in April 2013 during a row over money he was owed.

During an appearance in front of Glasgow’s licensing committee, he claimed he was just trying to “restrain” the woman.

But Police Scotland confirmed that he had to be pulled off her and that he later started shouting, swearing and punching walls.

Mr Haggarty said: “We had both had two much to drink. My ex-partner came at me and I restrained her and held her down against the table. There was no injury to her. I pushed against her.

“I don’t drink as much as I did back then. I’ve not got anger issues. It was a one-off situation that got out of hand.”

Mr Haggarty said that he wanted to work as a driver in Glasgow full time, if he was granted a licence.

When asked whether he would grab restrain cab passengers by the throat if they became abusive, he added that he “would act calmly”.

But licensing committee chairman Alex Wilson said: “Members of the public will push every button you’ve got. Cab driving is a very stressful job. People will be intoxicated.

“You were pressing down on your ex-partner’s throat. That’s endangering her life. There are far better ways of dealing with situations like that."

G