Chance to study sport and play top rugby league

telling him to take her to Storthes Hall student village instead. When they arrived, the fare was £25 but the girl said she had lost her debit card and promised to pay the following day.

Mr Naeem said the girl sounded upset when he picked her up, but was cheerful when he dropped her off.

He said he would never have left her alone on the streets, but added: “A colleague said he had made three trips to Storthes Hall in the time it took me to take her there. Taxis were very busy that night and I lost out on money I could have been earning for my family and to pay my bills.”

On another occasion, a couple he collected outside McDonald’s asked to go to Lindley. The man claimed he had left his bank card in his car parked at the Black Bull pub. He said he would follow the taxi in his car to the cashpoint at the filling station on Halifax Road, Birchencliffe, to draw out some money – but when he pulled out of the car park, his female companion jumped in and they drove off.

Mr Naeem said: “I couldn’t follow them because I think the man was drink driving. If he had seen me following him and sped off, crashed and killed himself I would be blamed.”

Mr Naeem, who has also had his car kicked and damaged by a man who refused to pay his fare and was assaulted and racially abused in another incident, said these were not isolated cases and that other cabbies had similar examples.

The father of-four, who was praised for his honesty in returning £1,000 accidentally left in his cab by a passenger in 2011, said: “We are not a charity. I was in the right, but still I got no help.”

West Yorkshire Police was asked for a comment. AN opening evening is being held for school leavers interested in studying sport while playing Rugby League at a high level.

The event is being staged by Huddersfield Elite Sports Education Academy which works in partnership with Huddersfield Giants and will be held at The Zone, off St Andrews Road, on Wednesday, May 9 from 6pm to 8pm.

The evening will feature a presentation about the programme and a Rugby League taster training session from 7-8pm delivered by U19’s head coach, Luke Robinson and Category 3 Academy coach Chris Cullimore.

During the evening, special guests will also include Huddersfield Giants club ambassador Eorl Crabtree and club welfare, safeguarding and education manager, Steve Hardisty.

To confirm your place, please call 01484 484155 or email: education.admin@ huddersfieldcommunitytrust.co.uk.