Taxi driver cleared of refusing to allow guide dog in his cab A TAXI driver has spoken of his relief after he was cleared in court of refusing to allow a blind woman's guide dog in his cab.
Darlington taxi driver Alan Grieve, 59, had pleaded not guilty to two charges relating to the incident on Victoria Road last August 30.
Amy Wennington, prosecuting for Darlington Borough Council, said that Mr Grieve refused to let blind woman Lorna Jones into his taxi with her guide dog, Gabby.
Under the 2010 Equality Act and a council bylaw, businesses must make adjustments to accommodate disabilities, such as allowing guide dogs into taxis.
Mrs Jones told Darlington magistrates: “We approached the first taxi in the rank and he said he didn’t take dogs.
“I said it’s a guide dog and you have to.
“After I said that he asked me if it cast hairs. At no point do I recall him offering to let us into the cab.”
Graham Hunsley, defending, said Mr Grieve, of Fenby Avenue, Darlington, initially did not want to take the dog but changed his mind once Mrs Jones explained she was blind.
Two other taxi drivers who saw the incident were called as witnesses and both said Mr Grieve had apologised and offered to let the dog in his cab.
Witness Simon Claydon said: “It didn’t look like a guide dog to me. It had no vest or harness.
“Alan said 'if it is guide dog, I’ll take you'.”
Chair of the magistrates’ bench, Patrick Lengdon, said it could not be proven that Mr Grieve, a taxi driver for 21 years, had knowingly refused to take the guide dog.
He said: “We have decided that it would not have been immediately clear that it was a guide dog.
“It’s also unclear at which point he was told it was a guide dog.
“We therefore find that the prosecution case has not been proven and we dismiss the charges.”
Speaking later Mr Grieve said he was “over the moon” to be cleared.
“It’s a huge relief. This is my livelihood and these allegations could have seen that taken away.”
source:
http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/c ... n_his_cab/
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