A Nottingham taxi driver has lost his licence after he refused to pick up a blind man and his guide dog.

Private hire driver Mohammed Saghir, of Sneinton Boulevard, arrived at a pub near Trent Bridge to take Mark Whittle and his wife, Catherine, home.

The 59-year-old arrived outside the pub, which the couple had gone to after taking part in the Great Notts Bike Ride on June 24, 2018, and sent a text to tell them he was waiting.

However, when Mr and Mrs Whittle emerged from the pub alongside Archer, their guide dog, he drove off.

He pleaded guilty to failing to pick up a customer and accept a fare at Derby Justice Centre in December, and he lost his licence after a review was conducted by Nottingham City Council.

The investigation was launched after Mr Whittle rang the council to complain, and Mr Saghir was handed a bill totalling £476.17.

He was fined £210 with a victim surcharge of £30 and was ordered to pay costs of £236.17.

Mr Whittle said: "I was really angry about what happened. We’d gone outside and it was only when a member of the public approached to ask if we were waiting for a taxi – and told us it was driving away – that we realised the driver had left.

“I called the cab firm and they got the driver on the phone but despite them saying to him that he had to take us, he was adamant that he wouldn't have the dog in his car.

“I’m sorry that he’s lost his licence because that’s his livelihood, but he’s only got himself to blame. When he signed up to become a taxi driver, he should know the rules and regulations – in this case, he can’t refuse to accept an assistance dog.

“It makes you worry what could happen if it was a young girl with a guide dog waiting for a taxi, which turned up only to drive off. I’m keen to raise awareness of this because I don’t want it to happen to anyone else.”

Upon the review of his Hackney carriage and private hire driver's licence, it was revoked indefinitely and he will only be able to obtain one in the future if he can demonstrate he is fit to return to driving a taxi.

Councillor Toby Neal, portfolio holder for community protection at Nottingham City Council, said: “We were shocked to hear of Mr Whittle’s experience and immediately investigated. It would appear that the taxi driver, for whatever reason, did not want to carry a guide dog in his car.

“Under the Equality Act, guide dog and other assistance dog owners have the right to enter the majority of services, premises and vehicles with their dog. This includes taxis, and for Mr Whittle and his wife to be left standing at the side of the road is totally unacceptable.

“This prosecution is an important result for the City Council and reinforces a strong message to taxi drivers that we expect the highest standards at all times. Our Driver Improvement Penalty Point System (DIPPS) was introduced in April 2017 and since then we have sanctioned 56 drivers for infringements of that code of conduct.”