A TAXI driver with a history of overcharging customers has had his licence suspended for a second time.

In August last year Dharmindar Singh collected a couple from Central Station who asked to be taken to Bellahouston Park for the Summer Sessions.

Mr Singh told them it was a fixed price of £25 and that it would be more expensive if he turned on the car’s meter.

The driver was asked by the passengers if the meter could be switched on but he refused. When they arrived at Bellahouston Park, Singh locked the doors until the fare had been paid.

The customers wrote to Glasgow City Council’s enforcement officers to say that they felt they had been taken advantage of because they were not local to the area.

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Mr Singh then wrote a letter to officers explain himself. He said there had been some confusion and he had taken the couple to Braehead Arena before realising he had got it wrong.

He claimed that he had not charged the couple extra for his mistake and drove them to their desired location.

Members of the licensing committee raised concerns that there had been no mention of Braehead in the original complaint at their meeting on Thursday and that there was no way to confirm Mr Singh’s version of events.

Councillor Alex Wilson said: “The two areas sound nothing alike.

"Most taxi drivers will know about the Summer Sessions that happen in the Southside of Glasgow in August every year.

“My main concern is that the driver turned off his meter. This should never happen.”

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It was then pointed out that Mr Singh had previously had his licence suspended for three months for overcrowding in his vehicle and overcharging.

Following the discussion, members agreed to suspend the licence for four months.