A student has told how he wasn’t allowed in a taxi because he was travelling with a guide dog.

Peel man Juan Greggor, 25, said it was ’embarrassing and distressing’ when he and his guide dog Angel were refused access to the taxi.

The incident happened in Preston, Lancashire, where Juan is studying.

The taxi driver pleaded guilty at Preston magistrates court to refusing to carry an assistance dog and was fined £60 and ordered to pay £330 prosecution costs and a £30 victim surcharge.

Mr Greggor said: ’It was very upsetting being refused a taxi because of my guide dog. I’ve owned two guide dogs since February 2013, but this was my first refusal.

He had told the taxi operator he had his assistance dog Angel with him - but when the cabbie arrived to take his fare at a bowling alley, the driver told him ’No dogs’.’

Another cab was eventually called from a different firm which took them home.

Preston councillor Peter Moss said: ’We hope this latest prosecution will send out a strong message that discrimination will not be tolerated.’

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Juan is in the final year of his BA psychotherapy course at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLAN) and plans to begin his MA course in September.

Diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa and cataracts, Juan had depleted vision throughout most of his childhood. Just two weeks before he sat his AS levels he suddenly lost the remaining vision in his right eye. He has now lost most of the vision in his other eye.

Mr Greggor told the Examiner that from next February he must complete 100 hours of work experience for his MA course.

This summer he plans to return to the island to volunteer at one of the charities such as The Samaritans or Cruse which offer emotional and grief support.

He said: ’On island, everything is pretty good.

’The pavements in Peel aren’t wide enough for me and Angel but we’re known about the area now so people are always very good.

’Even though the Equality Act is being phased in across the island, people still recognise a lot of the provisions of it.

’Normally we travel to and from the island on the Ben-my-Chree. The crew really are great in assisting with anything Angel and I need.’