'For me it is about my Religion' Muslim Taxi Driver REFUSES to Allow a Blind Man and his Seeing Eye Dog in His Taxi

A taxi driver who refused to pick up a blind couple because letting their guide dog in his cab was 'against his religion' has been ordered to pay almost £600.



Charles Bloch, 22, and his girlfriend Jessica Graham, 21, booked a ride with Leicester cab firm ADT Taxis in July, last year.


The pair, who were both born with a visual impairment and are registered blind, were with Mr Bloch's guide dog Carlo.


But when driver Abandi Jamal Kassim arrived to pick them up, he would not allow the dog into his cab.


The Muslim driver told Mr Bloch 'For me, it is about my religion.' Mr Bloch told Mr Kassim that refusing to allow the guide dog into the taxi was 'against the law'.


Footage of the incident, which ended with Mr Kassim driving off and leaving the pair stranded at the roadside, was filmed by Miss Graham on her mobile phone.


Leicester City Council, the licensing authority for taxis and private hire cabs in the city, were made aware of the incident after it was shared on social media.


Mr Kassim, 43, appeared before the city's magistrates today and admitted a breach of the Equality Act 2010.