A cab driver who refused to allow a customer into his car because they had a guide dog with them has been prosecuted.

Watford Borough Council received a complaint in December last year about private hire driver Hussain, after he was accused of refusing to honour a booking made by a visually impaired customer because they had a guide dog with them.

The council licensing team investigated the allegation and decided to prosecute.

Hussain pleaded guilty at Stevenage Magistrates Court on July 17.

Licensing committee chair Cllr Glen Saffery said: "Watford's taxis and minicabs must be accessible and welcoming to our whole community.

"This type of offence has a huge impact on a person's confidence to travel and the council will robustly investigate all such complaints and take appropriate action against drivers found to be acting in this way."

Under the Equality Act 2010 it is an offence for a driver to refuse or decline to take a customer who is with an assistance dog. This is unless the driver has an exemption certificate issued by the council.

The prosecution follows a similar case last year where another Watford licensed driver had his licence revoked following a refusal to carry a passenger accompanied by guide dog.

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Chairman of Disability Watford Leigh Hutchings said: "We have campaigned for access for people with a disability for many years and we are glad to hear that a private hire driver has been taken to court and found guilty of not treating an assistance dog owner like a passenger."

If you think you have been discriminated against by a taxi or minicab driver in Watford, or if you have been refused access to a shop, bar or restaurant then email licensing@watford.gov.uk or call 01923 278476.