Shopkeeper not allowed to drive caught at wheel

ASHOPKEEPER has been banned from driving after being caught without a at the wheel of a licence motor.

Aaftab Mohammed had previously been banned from driving when he was spotted on Aikenhead Road in a Skoda Octavia by cops who recognised him.

Mohammed drove off but police went looking for him and found the vehicle parked near his home with him inside.

The court heard Mohammed has previous driving-related convictions.

His ban had expired and he was entitled to reapply for a driving licence but his test was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The court was also told that since Mohammed married in 2019 there have been three domestic cases before the courts.

As a result, he has to report to Cathcart Police Office but, on the day in question, he had forgotten to do so and was driving to the station.

Mohammed’s defence agent said his client runs a convenience store in Thornliebank.

He said: “He is currently residing with his parents and wife and brothers and sisters.

“He is involved in the family business, running a convenience stote in Thornliebank.”

The lawyer asked the sheriff not to extend his client’s driving ban as he uses the vehicle to travel from his Cathcart home to work as well as making trips to a cash and carry.

He also made a case against a restriction of liberty order, saying Mohammed plans to visit his ailing grandmother in Pakistan in the coming weeks.

But Sheriff Daniel Kelly disqualified Mohammed from driving for 12 months.

He also put the 28-year-old on a tag for 63 days, keeping him at home from 7pm until 7am.