Cabbie guilty of theft from blind woman

A taxi driver who duped a blind woman out of £270, has been shunned and reviled by colleagues and friends.

Shafak Hussain (36) was told by a judge in Manchester: “I am glad to say you will never work again as a taxi driver.”

District Judge Paul Richardson went on “Generally such drivers are worthy of the trust put in them — but you are not.

“This was a very mean offence. She relied on you and you betrayed her”.

Hussain, of Plymouth Street, Oldham was spared an immediate prison sentence.

He was convicted of theft and given four -months in jail suspended for a year. He was also ordered to undertake 150 hours of unpaid work and repay the money.

Hussain picked up Jill Holland, a 52-year-old blind woman, and her dog from Manchester Royal Infirmary last August. They stopped at a cashpoint because she didn’t have enough to pay the fare.

She asked Hussaain to get £30, but he withdrew £300, pocketing the rest. Suspicious, Miss Holland rang her bank next day and learned the truth.

Hussain, pleading not guilty, claimed he had taken the £300 at Miss Holland’s request, and had given it to her.

Peter Etherall, defending, said Hussain would appeal.

“He has lost all his friends and been shunned by people, especially fellow taxi drivers.

“He has been sacked and his taxi licence revoked.