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Police oppose murderer's taxi bid Taxi bid murderer misses hearing
(about 6 hours later)
A chief constable has objected to a convicted murderer's bid to become a taxi driver. A convicted murderer who has been trying to gain a taxi driver's licence has failed to turn up at a meeting about his application.
William Currie, from Dalbeattie, was jailed in 1993 for murdering a man in Dumfries. William Currie, 51, from Dalbeattie, was expected to be represented at a Dumfries and Galloway Council hearing.
Dumfries and Galloway Police Chief Constable David Strang said William Currie was "not a fit and proper person" to hold a taxi licence. The area's Chief Constable David Strang objected to the bid claiming he is "not a fit and proper person" for a licence.
Mr Currie will have a chance to put his case to councillors considering the application. The meeting was adjourned and Mr Currie will be given a chance to appear at a later date.
A report on Mr Currie's application revealed a string of offences committed between 1987 and 1993. He was jailed at the High Court in Kilmarnock in 1993 for murdering Robert McMurtrie, 54, in Dumfries.
Life sentence A report on Mr Currie's taxi application revealed a string of offences committed between 1987 and 1993.
It included the murder of a night-watchman at an indoor market for which he was given a life sentence. In the circumstances the police would object to the grant of a taxi drivers' licence, as William Currie is not considered a fit and proper person to hold such a licence Council report
It included the murder of the night-watchman at an indoor market, for which he was given a life sentence.
Mr Currie also has convictions for assault, robbery and road traffic offences.Mr Currie also has convictions for assault, robbery and road traffic offences.
Mr Strang has tabled a formal objection to the council.Mr Strang has tabled a formal objection to the council.
He said that while Mr Currie has had no convictions since the murder, the nature of his previous crimes was a cause for serious concern.He said that while Mr Currie has had no convictions since the murder, the nature of his previous crimes was a cause for serious concern.
The council's report into the application said: "In the circumstances the police would object to the grant of a taxi drivers' licence, as William Currie is not considered a fit and proper person to hold such a licence."The council's report into the application said: "In the circumstances the police would object to the grant of a taxi drivers' licence, as William Currie is not considered a fit and proper person to hold such a licence."
Police were present at the meeting to provide more details of their objections, but neither Mr Currie nor his agent showed up.
Anyone applying for a taxi driver's licence has to disclose previous convictions as part of the process.Anyone applying for a taxi driver's licence has to disclose previous convictions as part of the process.