A CABBIE, who knocked down a cyclist fracturing his vertebrae, has been given a second chance.

In November 2016 Robert McGuire was driving along Royston Road and made a right turn into Garnock Street when he hit the cyclist who fell onto his neck and shoulder.

The cyclist had to be taken to hospital following the incident.

In October 2017 Mr McGuire was fined £225 as a result of the incident.

He was brought before Glasgow City Council’s licensing committee on Thursday to explain himself.

He said: “I was driving along Royston Road when I stopped to let pedestrians go by. I didn’t see the cyclist as he was right behind the car.”

Members questioned what procedure had been carried out before the driver began moving.

Councillor Alex Wilson said: “You should know that you have to look in your mirror, signal then manoeuvre.

“Why didn’t you tell us about this in you application. When it asks if you have any previous convictions you wrote “none” in that section.”

A spokesman for Police Scotland pointed out that many people believe that their conviction expires after a certain amount of time.

Councillor Wilson asked: “Are you a fit and proper person to be driving a car in the city?”

Mr McGuire responded: “Yes, I watch what I’m doing when I am in my car and have been driving for 36 years in total and have been driving my private hire car for seven years.

“I have never been at this committee before.”

Councillor Gary Gray also had some concerns about the incident.

He said: “You still hit someone who was on a bike. Clearly you are not looking enough if you hit someone. We have already heard two other accounts of speeding today but at least they never hit anyone.”

Earlier in the meeting the committee had heard of two speeding cases where both applicants were driving at speeds of more than 100mph.

Following the discussion members agreed to renew McGuire’s licence for one year.