Ice cream driver given go-ahead to work

AN ice-cream van driver has been allowed to re-start his career despite police concerns over his boss.

Gerard Melvin, who delivered ice cream in Drumchapel, was granted a mobile street traders licence to re-commence work for Harry Bennett.

Earlier this year Mr Bennett had seven houses, three watches and £45,000 of cash seized by the Civil Recovery Unit (CRU) under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

His former company Drumchapel Ices had previously employed Mr Melvin until the business was dissolved in January this year.

Police Scotland made a representation to Glasgow’s licensing committee to warn that Mr Bennett had been subject of a confiscation order.

But Mr Melvin said: “The police quite rightly have concerns but they’ve not made any objections against me. I’ve had a street traders licence for 20 years.”

Mr Melvin confirmed he had worked for Mr Bennett for “three years on and off”.

And despite the police concerns, licensing chiefs granted his street traders licence for three years by a majority of 7-2. It was heard that Mr Bennett and his partner Christine Clements bought seven houses in Drumchapel using ‘unlawful conduct’.