TWO taxi drivers have been prosecuted for refusing to carry a blind person with their guide dog.

Talib Hussain, aged 51, of Chevron Close, Marland, was fined £125 and Mohammed Idress, aged 37, of Bolton Road, Sudden, was fined £100 at Rochdale Magistrates Court.

Both defendants were also ordered to pay £128 costs for refusing to take the blind passenger accompanied by their dog while they were standing at Station Road taxi rank.

It is the first time Rochdale Council has prosecuted taxi drivers for the offence, which is against the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 which makes it unlawful to discriminate against disabled people when providing goods or services.

Beverley Wilkinson, the council’s licensing manager, said: "We prosecuted Mr Hussain and Mr Idrees for refusing to allow a disabled passenger to take their guide dog with them on a journey.

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