STOKE CABBIE FINED FOR REFUSING RIDE TO DISABLED WOMAN WITH ASSISTANCE DOG

A PH driver has been ordered to pay over £200 after refusing to pick up a disabled passenger because she was accompanied by an assistance dog.

Aras Abdullah, 47, turned away the woman at Stoke Station, claiming a severe allergy to animal hair, North Staffordshire Magistrates' Court heard.

The incident occurred in July after Abdullah was assigned the booking through an automated private hire system.

He was unaware the passenger had a service animal until he arrived at the station. Upon seeing the dog, Abdullah refused the fare and drove off, leaving the stranded passenger to be taken to her destination by people she had met on her train journey.

The woman later launched a complaint with the private hire operator.

Under UK law, licensed drivers are legally required to carry assistance dogs unless they hold an official medical exemption certificate. Abdullah did not have one.

Prosecutor Ms. Round, representing Stoke-on-Trent City Council, stated: "Mr. Abdullah was interviewed and he explained he had an allergy to pet hair.

He said he had not refused the booking, merely returned it to the operator for health reasons - he felt he had done nothing wrong."

Defending lawyer Ms. Leadbetter argued that Abdullah had a clean record and genuine health concerns, presenting a doctor's letter about his allergy.

She explained that his asthma and allergy issues had only developed in recent years, which is why he lacked the proper paperwork. "If he had started to have an asthma attack with the lady in the car that would have been dangerous," she stated, adding: "It's unfortunate he didn't have the certificate."

Abdullah, from Blurton, pleaded guilty to failing to accept a booking for a vehicle by a disabled person accompanied by an assistance dog.

Magistrates handed him a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered him to pay £200 in court costs alongside a £26 victim surcharge.

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