A PRIVATE hire car driver will appear in court accused of raping a 16-year-old girl.

The man’s licence has been suspended by Glasgow City Council following a complaint from Police Scotland.

Chief Constable Iain Livingstone recommended the suspension and a police representative, requesting the ban, said the man is “no longer a fit and proper person to hold a licence”.

The incident allegedly occurred late on Friday, April 5 or in the early hours of Saturday, April 6.

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The police representative told licensing chiefs the man is accused of driving the girl to a “secluded spot” in the city before raping her.

She said he was “likely to cause serious threat to public safety” if he was allowed to continue driving.

The licensing committee heard he has been charged under the Sexual Offences Act and appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court on April 10.

He was committed for further examination and released on bail.

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Councillors on the licensing committee made no comment on the case as it is sub judice.

Both the man’s private hire car and private hire car driver’s licence were suspended for six weeks immediately after the alleged incident.

Licensing chiefs have now decided to extend the suspensions for the duration of the unexpired portion of his licences.

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A licensing authority can suspend a licence if the holder is “no longer a fit and proper person” or is “likely to cause undue public nuisance or a threat to public order or public safety”.

Currently, no dates have been set for future court appearances.