A TRAFFORD charity has welcomed the sentencing of a taxi driver who refused to pick up a blind person with a guide dog.

The court case also brought a warning from Trafford Council who said it would actively prosecute borough drivers if they were found to have refused blind passengers and their guide dogs in their cabs.

The guidance comes after private-hire driver Mohamed Kulaten pleaded guilty at Manchester and Salford Magistrates Court for refusing to take Joanne Welbon home from work.

The 57-year-old driver, from Fallowfield, was fined £300 and ordered to pay £300 costs and a victim surcharge of £30.

The driver claimed he was allergic to dogs.

Subsequent checks by the local authority’s Licensing Team confirmed that Kulaten had never sought or been granted an allergy exemption by Manchester City Council, which issued his licence.

Joanne, who was aware of the legislation making it illegal for the driver not to pick her up, challenged him, but he drove off, leaving her stranded.

Joanne had been refused around 15 times by taxi drivers in the past but wanted to take action after this incident last September.

A spokesman for Henshaws said: "As the leading support charity for the visually impaired community in Greater Manchester knows exactly how critical it is in having safe and reliable transport for visually impaired people and how much it affects their wellbeing and ability to remain independent and prevent social isolation.

“We work with a number of businesses and individuals giving guidance and training on supporting visually impaired people to ensure businesses are not creating adversity for someone who is already vulnerable.

“We are pleased that Trafford Council has taken firm action against this discrimination and what is a distressing situation for anyone, let alone a person with a guide dog."

Cllr David Hopps, Trafford Council’s executive member for housing and strategic planning said: “The licensing regime for taxis, whether they are private hire or hackney carriages, is primarily a public protection role. In issuing licences to drivers all councils must be satisfied that they are fit and proper persons to carry out the role.

“This is especially important when vulnerable passengers are involved. It is completely unacceptable for a licensed driver to behave in this way and leave a passenger stranded. This conviction serves as a reminder to all licens-ed taxi drivers that this type of discriminatory and illegal behaviour will not be tolerated.”

In addition to the prosecution Mohamed Kulaten was reported to Manchester City Council, which issued his licence, to take any further appropriate action that it sees fit.

Kulaten was convicted last Friday after pleading guilty to the offence of refusing to carry out a booking accepted by the operator, because a guide dog accompanied the passenger, under section 170 of the Equalities Act 2010.