A taxi driver who told a lesbian couple to stop kissing
in the back of his cab has been ordered to pay them £7,000 ($10,000).
Mohammed Dahbi was accused of discriminating against
amorous couple Christy Spitzer and Kassie Thornton over their sexual
orientation.
He reportedly told them: "Keep that [behaviour] for
the bedroom or get out of the cab."
Dahbi was told by judge John Spooner to attend anti-discrimination
training and to pay a £3,500 ($5,000) fine to the courts.
Christy, from New York, told DNAinfo: "We felt that
what happened to us was wrong and he needed to take responsibility for his
actions."
In his defence, Dahbi said he couldn't keep his eyes on
the road because the pair were "heavily" kissing and "touching
all over each other."
The cabbie allegedly told the pair to 'save that for the
bedroom'
Dahbi told the judge he feared it would make him have an
accident.
But Christy denied this, and said it was only a
"light smooch" because she had dental work done.
She said: "That’s why I’m so aware of what my
behavior was in the taxi."
Married father-of-four Dahbi has been a cabbie for 17
years, he denied discriminating against the women because of their sexuality.
Dahbi's lawyer told DNAinfo New York his client never
mentioned anything about the couple's sexuality.
Ali Najmi said: "He has asked straight couples to
stop engaging in similar behavior. It can be very distracting for a driver if
people are getting hot and heavy in the taxi."
But judge Spooner disagreed and said: "The more
likely reason for [Dahbi] stopping the taxicab and directing Ms Spitzer and
Ms.Thornton to stop kissing was, not that he objected to all kissing, but that
he was uncomfortable with two women sharing a romantic kiss."
Christina said: "We just felt we had to let the
driver understand that it’s wrong. So he could learn, and he doesn't do it
again."
Mr Najmi said Dhabi plans to appeal the decision.
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