Stoke cabbie convicted of refusing to pick up a disabled passenger

A Stoke cabbie has been prosecuted this week for refusing to pick up a wheelchair-bound passenger.

Mohammed Butt, 56, from Wellesley Street in Shelton, refused to allow 25 year old Bal Deol to enter his taxi in Lichfield Street, Stoke on Trent.

Butt caimed in court that he had refused to take the student because he was concerned that the wheelchair may tip over in his vehicle, and thought that she was drunk due to her words being slurred because of her disability.

Miss Deol, who suffers from Generalised Dystonia said in court that she had tried to explain the law surrounding the carriage of disabled people in a taxi, however he closed his window and ignored her.

The driver was subsequently charged and convicted under section 53 of the Town amd Police Clauses Act 1847.

This was the first ever prosecution under this act in Stoke on Trent.

Butt was fined £300 and ordered to pay £750 costs as well as a £30 surcharge at North Staffordshire Justice Centre.

The cabbies licence is now being reviewed by the council's licensing and registration committee.