Taxi Driver Online
http://www.taxi-driver.co.uk/phpBB2/

PH driver fined for refusing guide dog
http://www.taxi-driver.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=19901
Page 1 of 1

Author:  captain cab [ Tue Jul 31, 2012 12:06 pm ]
Post subject:  PH driver fined for refusing guide dog

Private Hire driver fined for refusing guide dog


A private hire driver who refused to carry a blind woman because of her guide dog has been hit with a court bill for more than £1,500.

Matloob Hussain had travelled to pick up Kelly Ann Roberts from her home in Walsall Wood as she was due to attend the Manor Hospital with her mother.

But the driver refused to accept black Labrador cross Roxy in the cab and allegedly claimed Mrs Roberts was not blind as she was blinking. Hussain, of Essex Street, Walsall, denied making the statement.

He also insisted he did not know it was a guide dog.

The 43 year-old was found guilty of being the driver of a private hire vehicle who refused to carry out a booking on behalf of a disabled person at Walsall Magistrates Court yesterday following a day-long trial.

The court was told Mrs Roberts, who is registered blind, was due to accompany her mother Patricia Lote to hospital on November 1.

They booked a taxi to come to Poxon Road, Walsall Wood, the night before and highlighted a guide dog would be among the passengers.

The animal was wearing a distinctive harness to show it was an assistance dog.

They said driver Hussain started repeatedly shouting no to the dog. Eventually another taxi had to be called to pick up the passengers.

However Hussain, speaking through an interpreter, said he was told of the job 10 minutes beforehand and was unaware of a dog being there.

He insisted there was no distinctive harness and was reluctant to take dogs, apart from guide dogs, “because they cause trouble”.

But of guide dogs he said: “I never refuse them, I pick them up all the time.”

John Western, defending, said a taxi had failed to arrive and Hussain was then called. There had been a “misunderstanding” causing the booking to end rather than the driver just leave.

Walsall Council licensing enforcement officers prosecuted the case after a breach of the equality act. Magistrates fined Hussain £300, ordered he pay £1,211 costs and £15 victim surcharge.


Read more: http://www.expressandstar.com/news/2012 ... z22CI4MOin

Author:  c4bby [ Tue Jul 31, 2012 1:06 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: PH driver fined for refusing guide dog

"However Hussain, speaking through an interpreter, said he was told of the job 10 minutes beforehand and was unaware of a dog being there."

How did he get his licence if he needs an interpreter?

Author:  toots [ Tue Jul 31, 2012 1:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: PH driver fined for refusing guide dog

c4bby wrote:
"However Hussain, speaking through an interpreter, said he was told of the job 10 minutes beforehand and was unaware of a dog being there."

How did he get his licence if he needs an interpreter?


Dealing with matters in court are a little more complex than being able to form a conversation with a customer, but, I have to say I often wonder this myself :wink:

Author:  Nidge2 [ Tue Jul 31, 2012 2:48 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: PH driver fined for refusing guide dog

c4bby wrote:
"However Hussain, speaking through an interpreter, said he was told of the job 10 minutes beforehand and was unaware of a dog being there."

How did he get his licence if he needs an interpreter?



WTF??? How do these people get their badges or is that a silly question to ask at this present moment in time??

Author:  Nidge2 [ Tue Jul 31, 2012 2:49 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: PH driver fined for refusing guide dog

c4bby wrote:

How did he get his licence if he needs an interpreter?



Ermmm read my post from yesterday in General Forum.

Author:  grandad [ Tue Jul 31, 2012 2:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: PH driver fined for refusing guide dog

captain cab wrote:

allegedly claimed Mrs Roberts was not blind as she was blinking.

Absolutly priceless.

Author:  edders23 [ Tue Jul 31, 2012 7:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: PH driver fined for refusing guide dog

so now we have village idiots driving PH cars do we ? perhaps it should be a condition of license that all new applicants should have to pass a disability awareness course before they can start driving

Author:  skippy41 [ Tue Jul 31, 2012 11:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: PH driver fined for refusing guide dog

I wonder now he has a conviction, if he is now deemed not a fit and proper person, and he can now be sent packing

Author:  captain cab [ Tue Jul 31, 2012 11:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: PH driver fined for refusing guide dog

skippy41 wrote:
I wonder now he has a conviction, if he is now deemed not a fit and proper person, and he can now be sent packing


of course......unless he has a really good sob story :roll:

Author:  Brummie Cabbie [ Wed Aug 01, 2012 7:19 am ]
Post subject:  Re: PH driver fined for refusing guide dog

grandad wrote:
captain cab wrote:
allegedly claimed Mrs Roberts was not blind as she was blinking.

Absolutly priceless.

Are you saying the would-be passenger was blinking blind?

Author:  Sussex [ Wed Aug 01, 2012 7:50 am ]
Post subject:  Re: PH driver fined for refusing guide dog

Brummie Cabbie wrote:
Are you saying the would-be passenger was blinking blind?

Add the word drunk to that and we have the telly kid to a tee.

Author:  Nidge2 [ Wed Aug 01, 2012 10:32 am ]
Post subject:  Re: PH driver fined for refusing guide dog

captain cab wrote:
skippy41 wrote:
I wonder now he has a conviction, if he is now deemed not a fit and proper person, and he can now be sent packing


of course......unless he has a really good sob story :roll:



Like he'll be tortured if he gets sent back home.

Page 1 of 1 All times are UTC [ DST ]
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group
http://www.phpbb.com/