A PRIVATE hire driver who punched his wife during a row over his holiday with friends has been refused a new licence.

Malik Awan had applied to Glasgow City Council for a three-year renewal of his licence.

But licensing chiefs turned down the application after hearing about his domestic assault conviction from Police Scotland.

A police officer said Mr Awan had been sentenced to 200 hours unpaid work following an incident in October 2018.

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She said the applicant had “repeatedly” punched his wife to the head and body.

An argument had started “regarding the applicant going away on holiday with friends”, the committee heard.

The officer said the victim, who is now divorced from Mr Awan, had “screamed” for help before managing to call the police.

She added: “There were visible cuts and bruises to the applicant’s wife’s right eye.”

Mr Awan’s solicitor said: “At the time of this incident he was in marital difficulties with his former wife, he is now divorced.

“The argument had risen because she challenged him, and she thought he was going on holiday to have some kind of extra marital affairs with other people.

“That is the reason he became angry. He was simply going with his friend for holidays.”

The solicitor claimed it was a “one-off incident, which happens in most people’s lives”.

He said Mr Awan regretted it, had complied with his court order and had “no single complaint” while working as a private hire driver.

Councillor Alex Wilson, chairman of the licensing committee, said: “You’re saying this was a one-off incident which happens in most people’s private lives or marriages.

“I don’t agree with that whatsoever. I don’t think there’s any need for violence of any sort, whether it be a spouse, a child, a neighbour or anyone.

“I think your statement is very worrying. The fact that you think this happens in everyday life.

“I don’t know many marriages where physical violence is everyday life, regardless of the circumstances.”

The solicitor said he agreed there was “no place for violence” and added: “He has shown remorse for what he has done.”

But Mr Wilson said: “He has hit the person who is closest to him, which is worrying going forward whether he would actually take that anger out on a member of the public.”

It also emerged Mr Awan had not disclosed his conviction on his application form.

He claimed he had been told there was “no need” to mention it by council staff.

Councillor Malcolm Balfour said: “I do not believe for one minute that any of our staff would encourage someone not to disclose.

“I find that quite a slur on the character of any of our staff. I believe it is a total fabrication.”