A TAXI driver given a warning for not taking a blind woman with her guide dog said he was 'one of the good guys.'

William Jukes, of Carrville, Durham was given a final written warning by Durham City Council's licensing panel, for breaching the Disability Discrimination Act when he failed to pick up the woman from Durham Train Station.

She had been second in the taxi queue, but when the taxi pulled up, the man at the front, Angus McIntosh, director of the NorthEast Probation Consortium, allowed her to take his place.

In a statement to Durham City Council, Mr McIntosh said Mr Jukes refused and pulled away.

At the hearing last Friday, Mr Jukes said he had an unblemished, 26 year record as a taxi driver. He submitted a letter to the council, which said he started up a business with his former wife providing care for the elderly and disabled and had worked there for ten years.

He said as treasurer of the Taxi Drivers' Association, he also encouraged people to report any incidents of discrimination.

Mr Jukes said he had driven the lady on previous occasions and said as he had two other bookings before 10am, he knew he did not have time to get to her house and clean up the car after the dog.

He submitted character references given by relatives of an elderly couple, one of whom was in the advanced stages of senile dementia and the other who had limited mobility after suffering a stroke. They said Mr Jukes had made a 'major contribution to these trips being safe and happy experiences.'

Another character reference was submitted from the parents of a mentally disabled boy, who has also used Mr Jukes' taxi for many years. They said his helpfulness and support went 'far beyond his duty as a taxi driver.'

Speaking after the hearing, held at DurhamTown Hall, Mr Jukes said: "I've had months of hell and I'm pleased it's all over. This will never, ever happen again."

He added: "I'm probably one of the only taxi companies to pick her up regularly. If she was there now I would pick her up.

"I'm one of the good guys."

His written warning is to stay on file for 12 months.

Speaking after the meeting, chairman of the licensing panel, Coun Maureen Smith said: "It's a clear message that the panel will not tolerate breaches of the rules regarding the issuing of the licence."