AN East Renfrewshire cabbie who punched his ex-wife and assaulted two children has been refused permission to work in Glasgow.

Zafar Shah was put on a domestic violence work programme following the attacks at Silverburn Shopping Centre in April 2015.

Mr Shah punched his ex-wife on the body and struck her hand on the dashboard of his car.

He then went on to injure a young girl by nipping her legs before grabbing hold of a young boy.

Licensing chiefs in Glasgow demanded an explanation for his actions after Mr Shah claimed he wasn’t a bad person.

He told them: “This was a mistake and I accept full responsibility for it.

“I’ve been working for the last two years as a taxi driver in East Renfrewshire and I’ve driven a lot of people. Everybody makes mistakes in their lives. I’m a good person.”

Mr Shah had applied to start working in the Glasgow City Council area, insisting he was ready to give up his job in East Renfrewshire.

But licensing committee members refused to allow that after a Police Scotland objection was tabled.

Committee member Gary Gray admitted he was concerned about whether Mr Shah was a fit and proper person to drive a taxi.

He said: “This doesn’t make good reading. A conviction is one thing but convictions against children is another. We can all have moments of heated debate but it’s another level when you assault someone.”

Alex Wilson, who chairs the committee, added: “Violence should never be classed as a mistake. That’s unacceptable.

“We’re looking to put people on the road who won’t put people into a state of fear or alarm.”