Leicester firm Highfields Taxis refused to pick up blind man

Highfields Taxis refused to pick up Mohammed Khatri because he had a guide dog

The owner of a cab firm that refused to take a blind man and his guide dog has been fined £1,000.

Prahlad Pandya, owner of Highfields Taxis, was convicted in his absence after a driver refused to pick up Mohammed Khatri from BBC Leicester.

Pandya, of Gwencole Crescent, Leicester, was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay £655.50 costs.

The prosecution was brought by the city council which said it hoped it would send a message to other cab firms.

Highfields Taxis, based in Humberstone Gate, refused to carry a blind man with a guide dog

A taxi was ordered for Mr Khatri and his assistance dog Vargo after an interview he gave to BBC TV in January.

When a reporter called to check where it was he was told none of the drivers would collect a passenger with a dog.

At the time, the firm apologised to Mr Khatri and told the BBC it would never happen again.

Speaking after the hearing Mike Broster, from the city council, said: "The operator in this case had a legal duty to provide services to someone who wanted to use an assistance dog and they didn't comply with that.

"The city council hopes that this case sends out a message to other operators that they need to comply with that duty and if they don't the city council will prosecute them."