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| Minicab driver in court after 'refusing' to take blind woman http://www.taxi-driver.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=22174 |
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| Author: | captain cab [ Fri May 10, 2013 11:06 am ] |
| Post subject: | Minicab driver in court after 'refusing' to take blind woman |
Minicab driver in court after 'refusing' to take blind woman and her guide dog Professional chorister Andrea Hope missed her train after her minicab vanished from outside her Kings Heath home. A minicab driver has appeared in court accused of refusing to carry a blind woman in his car -– because she had a guide dog. Professional chorister Andrea Hope, 31, had pre-booked the minicab to take her from her Kings Heath home to New Street train station . But she claims Shazad Hussain drove off moments after turning up at her property – after being told about her guide dog, Zeta. A complaint was made to Birmingham City Council and the private hire driver was later charged with breaching the Equality Act 2010. The case against him was outlined at Birmingham Magistrates Court , where he denied the charge. The trial was adjourned until next month. Giving evidence at court accompanied by Zeta, Miss Hope said she had booked the minicab through Kings Heath-based Ambassador Cars. She said: “I told them where I was going and that I had a guide dog and would need assistance. “I was told a driver was on his way and it was fine about my guide dog.” She said her housemate Tony Breach, who is also registered blind, went outside to the minicab when it arrived to ask the driver to wait while she put her harness on Zeta. “Tony also told the driver that it was a guide dog,” she said. “But when we got outside a few minutes later we saw the minicab had gone without any explanation.’’ Mr Breach called the cab firm to complain and a second minicab was sent to the house. But by the time the professional singer arrived at New Street, she had missed her train to Wales to visit friends and had to wait an hour for another one. “Because I suffer with mental health issues I felt really anxious,” Miss Hope added. “I had just started taking an anti-depressant which made me feel spaced out, almost numb, which didn’t help.” Tharan Biring, prosecuting, said that by law all private hire drivers must allow guide dogs in their vehicles unless they have a medical exemption certificate for certain conditions, including an allergy to pooches. But when Hussain, 41, was quizzed by council licensing officials he admitted he had no certificate and had driven off because he was “scared of dogs”. Devon Small, defending, claimed his client had not been told by the taxi firm’s operator that Miss Hope had a guide dog. He also said Hussain, who needed an Urdu interpreter at the hearing, had poor English and had believed Mr Breach meant a normal dog was set to get in the minicab. But when interviewed by licensing enforcement officer Sarah Hempsall last July, the driver allegedly admitted he had been told by Ambassador Cars that Miss Hope was “totally blind and in need of help”. He added: “I think I mixed it up. It’s not acceptable. I think I made a mistake now, I’m sorry.” Hussain, of Deakins Road, Yardley, denies one charge of breaching the Equality Act 2010. The trial was adjourned until next month due to a lack of court time. source: http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/lo ... rt-3567542 |
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| Author: | cabby john [ Fri May 10, 2013 11:57 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Minicab driver in court after 'refusing' to take blind w |
Quote: He also said Hussain, who needed an Urdu interpreter at the hearing, had poor English I do not condone for one minute what this driver has done. The question I am asking is? Is it not about time that someone from an L.A was dragged before their employers i.e "The Council" and dismissed for allowing "ANOTHER ONE" out on to the roads to deal with the PUBLIC who needs a translator to understand/communicate. |
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| Author: | Nidge2 [ Fri May 10, 2013 4:45 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Minicab driver in court after 'refusing' to take blind w |
cabby john wrote: Quote: He also said Hussain, who needed an Urdu interpreter at the hearing, had poor English I do not condone for one minute what this driver has done. The question I am asking is? Is it not about time that someone from an L.A was dragged before their employers i.e "The Council" and dismissed for allowing "ANOTHER ONE" out on to the roads to deal with the PUBLIC who needs a translator to understand/communicate. I agree. |
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| Author: | edders23 [ Fri May 10, 2013 6:16 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Minicab driver in court after 'refusing' to take blind w |
Ditto but until councils face the threat of large fines for not screening applicants properly revenue will always come before public safety |
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| Author: | rambo [ Fri May 10, 2013 10:43 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Minicab driver in court after 'refusing' to take blind w |
The interpretor is probably his cousin............................ |
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| Author: | Tico [ Fri May 10, 2013 11:01 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Minicab driver in court after 'refusing' to take blind w |
was a few minute a few minute or was it 15 minute and counting though |
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| Author: | bloodnock [ Sat May 11, 2013 1:20 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Minicab driver in court after 'refusing' to take blind w |
Quote: “Because I suffer with mental health issues I felt really anxious,” Miss Hope added. “I had just started taking an anti-depressant which made me feel spaced out, almost numb, which didn’t help.” For someone of such a nervous disposition surely standing up and singing in front of a group of strangers as a Professional chorister is at odds with someone suffering from such severe anxieties. |
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| Author: | bloodnock [ Sat May 11, 2013 1:21 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Minicab driver in court after 'refusing' to take blind w |
Damn...hit the Submit twice. |
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