A BUDDING taxi driver from Dumbarton has asked councillors to give him “a wee chance” to turn his life around following a stint in prison.

Scott Brownlie, of Glasgow Road, appeared before West Dunbartonshire Council’s licensing committee last week, however, councillors were unable to make a decision on the six-week-long licence application after hearing of his past criminal convictions.

Sergeant Walker told the committee Mr Brownlie had been convicted of conspiracy to commit assault and robbery back in 1992 and was jailed for the offence.

In 2000, he was convicted again for being in possession of approximately one kilo of cocaine, worth around £80,000.

He was released just last year after serving a stint in prison for being in possession of 1.5 kilo of heroin and is currently under the supervision of social work services until 2019.

The 50-year-old said he understood the council’s position but was asking for a “wee chance” to help turn his life around for the better.

He said: “I’m trying to move on with my life that’s why I’ve moved to Dumbarton.

“I just want to get on with my life and stay away from it.

“I’ve been in prison and I’ve realised it. I just want to get on with it and give back to the community.”

Mr Brownlie explained he became involved with drugs after experiencing some financial difficulty and the threat of losing his home, however, a voluntary course he underwent while in prison changed his perspective.

He added: “They do a course, you don’t need to it but I chose to do it. I went and spoke to kids in community centres about being in prison.

“I think once you do those courses and you realise these things, there’s more to life than money.

“I just want a wee chance to get myself to improve. I can’t get a job anywhere else.”

Mr Brownlie added he already had a job lined up if the application was granted.

Councillor Lawrence O’Neill, chair of the committee, said: “I have some concern. I suppose in hindsight it might be better to have something from your social worker to see your progress with your rehabilitation.”

The committee agreed to postpone the decision to a special meeting on March 1 to allow for social work to report on the applicant’s progress.