A taxi driver who admitted failing to accept a vehicle booking by a disabled woman with an assistance dog said he had an allergy to pet hair, a court has heard.

Aras Abdullah was given the private hire booking at Stoke-on-Trent Railway Station through an automated system, but was unaware that his passenger would be accompanied by an assistance dog until he arrived, magistrates at North Staffordshire Justice Centre heard on Monday (May 18).

The woman was offered a lift to her destination by two passengers she had been speaking to on her rail journey, the court was told. She later called the private hire operator to lodge a complaint and asked to speak to a manager, but no-one called her back.

Ms Round, prosecuting on behalf of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: "Mr Abdullah was interviewed and he explained he had an allergy to pet hair. He said he had not refused the booking, merely returned it to the operator for health reasons – he felt he had done nothing wrong.

"Taxi drivers have a legal obligation to accept assistance dogs unless they have an exemption certificate, which Mr Abdullah did not have. He apologised before driving off."

Abdullah, 47, of Laurel Grove, Blurton, pleaded guilty on Monday to failing to accept a booking for a vehicle by a disabled person accompanied by an assistance dog. The incident took place in July last year.

He was given a 12-month conditional discharge by magistrates. He was also ordered to pay a £26 victim surcharge and £200 costs.

Ms Leadbetter, defending, said: "Mr Abdullah has been a taxi driver for some years and has never received a complaint in regards to his driving or personal manner. He has a letter from his doctor to explain that he does have this allergy.

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"The message (from the operator) did not give full details, just told him where he had to go. When he got there he saw a lady coming over with a dog and immediately contacted the base to say he couldn't do this because he has an allergy.

"They said it was not his booking anymore. He wouldn't be able to take someone without a proper booking – the operator made arrangements for someone else to come.

"The reason he didn't have a certificate was that when he first started to be a taxi driver he didn't have an asthma problem. It was only a couple of years ago it came to his attention he had a problem with allergies.

"If he had started to have an asthma attack with the lady in the car that would have been dangerous. It's unfortunate he didn't have the certificate."