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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Taxi driver who refused to take guide dog is fined | Taxi driver who refused to take guide dog is fined |
| (about 13 hours later) | |
| A taxi driver who refused to carry a guide dog because he claimed it was against his religion has been fined for breaching equality laws. | A taxi driver who refused to carry a guide dog because he claimed it was against his religion has been fined for breaching equality laws. |
| Abandi Kassim turned away Charles Bloch, 22, and his dog in Leicester in July 2016. | Abandi Kassim turned away Charles Bloch, 22, and his dog in Leicester in July 2016. |
| The driver apologised outside Leicester Magistrates' Court and claimed he was "confused" at the time. | The driver apologised outside Leicester Magistrates' Court and claimed he was "confused" at the time. |
| Mr Bloch said he hoped the fine would send a message to others that disability laws must be respected. | Mr Bloch said he hoped the fine would send a message to others that disability laws must be respected. |
| He had booked the minicab for himself and his assistance dog, Carlo, and his girlfriend filmed Kassim saying he would not take them with the dog because of his religion. | He had booked the minicab for himself and his assistance dog, Carlo, and his girlfriend filmed Kassim saying he would not take them with the dog because of his religion. |
| Mr Bloch, who is registered blind, explained the law but Kassim drove away. | Mr Bloch, who is registered blind, explained the law but Kassim drove away. |
| More updates from Leicester and Leicestershire | More updates from Leicester and Leicestershire |
| Kassim, 44, of Fountains Avenue, Leicester, pleaded guilty to refusing to convey a guide dog, an offence under the Equality Act 2010, and was fined £340 plus £200 costs and a £50 victim surcharge. | |
| Magistrates told him taxi drivers had a duty to know the law. | Magistrates told him taxi drivers had a duty to know the law. |
| Kassim said: "I was confused because I was scared of the dog and at the time I did not know the difference between the guide dog and the normal dog. | Kassim said: "I was confused because I was scared of the dog and at the time I did not know the difference between the guide dog and the normal dog. |
| "It was a mistake, it was a lack of training, I think there should be a course about dogs. I know about them now and would take them now." | "It was a mistake, it was a lack of training, I think there should be a course about dogs. I know about them now and would take them now." |
| Mr Bloch said: "I know a lot of people with assistance dogs worry about this happening so hopefully this shows them the law is on their side. | Mr Bloch said: "I know a lot of people with assistance dogs worry about this happening so hopefully this shows them the law is on their side. |
| "It also shows that if they have a problem, there is something they can do about it." | "It also shows that if they have a problem, there is something they can do about it." |
| This is the second time Mr Bloch has taken action against a taxi firm, with him bringing a similar case in November. | This is the second time Mr Bloch has taken action against a taxi firm, with him bringing a similar case in November. |
| ADT Taxis, which employed Mr Kassim, said the driver had been dismissed as soon as they became aware of the incident. | ADT Taxis, which employed Mr Kassim, said the driver had been dismissed as soon as they became aware of the incident. |
| Guide dogs and the law | Guide dogs and the law |
| Under the Equality Act 2010, it is illegal for a private hire vehicle to refuse to take a disabled person because they have an assistance dog, nor can they charge more. | Under the Equality Act 2010, it is illegal for a private hire vehicle to refuse to take a disabled person because they have an assistance dog, nor can they charge more. |
| Anyone found guilty of an offence under the act is liable to a fine. | Anyone found guilty of an offence under the act is liable to a fine. |
| Assistance dogs are defined as dogs trained to guide someone who is blind, deaf, epileptic or suffers a condition which affects mobility. | Assistance dogs are defined as dogs trained to guide someone who is blind, deaf, epileptic or suffers a condition which affects mobility. |
| Drivers can apply to a licensing authority for exemption from carrying assistance dogs, but only on medical grounds. | Drivers can apply to a licensing authority for exemption from carrying assistance dogs, but only on medical grounds. |
| Source: UK Government | Source: UK Government |