MAN AT CENTRE OF PROTEST STRESSES HE WILL NOT BE BACK
THE man at the centre of the protest at a Cowdenbeath petrol station has made it clear to the Times that he will not be back at the High Street business.The protest began on Friday when around 30 parents picketed facility at the north end of High Street.
The protest group were campaigning against Dundee man Mr Muhammad Shahbaz, who had been convicted of offences of a sexual nature, working at the facility.
They felt it inappropriate that a person with these convictions should be working at premises so close to a school with Beath High being less than quarter of a mile away.
They said that unless they had assurances that he would not return to work at the High Street filling station they would re-start their protest next week.
But Mr Shahbaz told the Times he would not back at the petrol station and he had no control over the operation of it.
He said, "I am trying to show people that they should have no concern about me.
I am not proud of what has happened and am trying to rebuild my life.
I can assure the people of Cowdenbeath that I have no control over the business and I will not be going back to the petrol station.
After all that has happened I am trying to show that I can be a good citizen.
I have co-operated with the police in Cowdenbeath and I can assure everyone that I have nothing to do with the ownership of the Beath Garage." The Times has had it confirmed that the petrol station is owned by two ladies and on behalf of them, Mohammad Nawaz said, "It is true that Mr Shahbaz worked at the station for a spell but he had no operational authority and he will not be returning there.
We would be delighted to meet with any concerned residents to ally any worries that they might have."
