A Chester taxi driver who refused to carry assistance dogs for two blind customers has been fined.

Nozir Rahman, a Chester resident, appeared at Chester Magistrates Court on Wednesday 10 September 2025.

He pleaded guilty to one offence under section 170 of the Equality Act 2010, of refusing to carry a blind customer who had an assistance dog with him.

In February the claimant's partner had booked a taxi to Chester Railway Station, explaining that they both had assistance dogs.

The 31-year-old taxi driver arrived at the station but refused to carry the dogs. He then drove away.

KingKabs reported Rahman to the Cheshire West and Chester Licensing Authority and the defendant was then interviewed under caution.

Rahman gave three different reasons for not carrying the dogs, each to the complainant, the taxi company and then to council officers when he was interviewed.

He received fines totalling £580, including a victim surcharge of £80 and a contribution to prosecution costs of £300.

Taxi drivers have a legal obligation to accept assistance dogs unless they have a specific medical exemption certificate issued under section 171 of the Equalities Act 2010.

Drivers are made aware of these legal requirements during their training.

Mr Rahman will now be required to go before the members of the General Licensing Sub-Committee which will consider whether he is "fit and proper" to continue to be a licensed driver.