Published September 12, 2017 at 16:08
Rossendale Council has won a Crown Court appeal following its decision to revoke the taxi licence of a driver who refused to take a passenger with a guide dog.
Taiwo Osazuwa, 50, of Teddington Road, New Moston, Manchester, was prosecuted in February for failing to allow a passenger to travel with their assistance animal in June last year, an offence under the Equality Act 2010.
The taxi driver’s licence was then reviewed and revoked by Rossendale Borough Council as a result of the conviction.
In July Osazuwa lodged appealed to Burnley Magistrates who then decided the taxi driver should retain his licence but undertake guide dog training.
However, Rossendale Borough Council decided to appeal to Burnley Crown Court that agreed that the taxi driver’s licence should be revoked.
Councillor Christine Lamb, Portfolio Holder for Regulatory Sevices, said:
I am pleased that the Crown Court has decided to uphold our decision. We take the allocation of taxi licences very seriously and have strict rules that those who hold them must follow to ensure that all passengers are treated equally and with respect. We will not hesitate to revoke a licence from someone we believe has flouted those regulations and I believe this decision shows how seriously we will take our responsibilities to passengers.