A TAXI driver who has been convicted twice of drink-driving has had his licence granted by West Dunbartonshire Council.

Jerome Fitzpatrick from Clydebank appeared before the council’s licensing committee to apply for a temporary six-week long taxi driver/private hire driver’s licence.

Sergeant Mairi Capaldi told the committee the 62-year-old was fined £400 and disqualified for one year in 2007 after driving a vehicle in Clydebank whilst more than one and a half times the legal limit at the time.

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Subsequently, in 2011, Fitzpatrick was handed a punishment of 225 hours of unpaid work and disqualified for four years and six months after driving in Old Kilpatrick whilst more than three times the legal limit at the time.

Pleading with the committee to give him a chance, he stated that his issues around drink had been resolved and that he was desperate to return to work.

He said: “Can I first apologise to the community for having to be here. There is no excuse. No excuse for what I did. It was dangerous, selfish and I am deeply ashamed.

“I was going through a very dark period at the time. Over the last few years I have sought medical help and therapy.

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“I went through serious depression. I was referred to Stepping Stones, which was of great benefit to me. I feel I am in a much better place now than I have ever been.

“I have not been able to work. I’m 62 and I have worked all my life. Work is a major part of my life. I do need to get back to work.”

Councillor Jonathan McColl moved to grant the application for a temporary licence of six weeks for Fitzpatrick, who said that he already had a job lined up.

Granting the licence, Cllr McColl said: “The last offence is quite historic now and I am not seeing any issues since, albeit this was very serious.”