A MOTHER says she is “disgusted” that a taxi firm left her 14-year-old disabled son by the roadside.

Single mum Clare Scott, 35, said United Taxis refused to take Charlie, who has cerebral palsy, back after a night at the Salvation Army Youth Club in Winton because they their drivers would not tackle the lane that leads to their home.

United Taxis said Yeoman’s Road, where the family lives, was not used by drivers as it could damage cars, but it did say that it offered to find Charlie a taxi, which Clare and carer Nivek Kerley dispute.

Clare said: “When they phoned for the return he was told all the drivers refused to do the pick up as they would not go down Yeoman’s Road because of the state of it.

“They left my 14-year-old disabled son in Winton.

“I couldn’t go and pick him up because my other children were in bed. I phoned the taxi company and said I couldn’t believe they were refusing to pick him up.

“They didn’t say sorry, they were just blatant and said they weren’t picking him up.”

Clare said the road was a problem as it had potholes and was unmade, but added: “If you drive down it slowly and sensibly it’s fine.

“I think it’s absolutely disgusting, you don’t leave a 14-year-old.”

Nivek said: “The woman (on the phone) didn’t even give me a chance to respond to her, she said drivers refused to drive down Yeomans Road and there wouldn’t be a car to collect Charlie – she said if we asked in the future we’d be refused, then she said thank you and goodbye.”

Nivek said he booked the taxi for a trip there and back and wasn’t told anything on booking it.

“There was no apology or understanding, it was really stern,” he added.

Derek Heritage, marketing manager at United Taxis, said: “When they phoned back we realised there was a problem getting them back but we said we would locate a car for her and phone her back, which we did, but we couldn’t get hold of her. We would have covered the job.

“The risk assessment is that the road is so bumpy that it causes damage to vehicles.”